Kitson leads new management at Hachette ANZ

Richard Kitson has become chairman of Hachette Australia and New Zealand, and has appointed Louise Sherwin-Stark and Justin Ractliffe (pictured) as joint managing directors at the company, following the “devastating” death of c.e.o. and chairman Matt Richell earlier this year.

Richell, 41, had been surfing at a beach at Tamarama in New South Wales, when he was swept onto rocks and killed in July.

Kitson, who will remain commercial director at Hachette UK, today announced Sherwin-Stark, formerly sales and product director, as m.d. with responsibility for sales and product, digital sales and with new responsibility for Hachette New Zealand. Mel Winder, sales and marketing director of Hachette NZ, now reports to Sherwin-Stark.

Ractliffe, formerly marketing and publicity director, becomes m.d. with responsibility for marketing and publicity with new responsibility for Australian Publishing.  Fiona Hazard, publishing director, now reports to Ractliffe.

Also promoted is David Cocking, currently finance director, who becomes c.o.o., retaining responsibility for finance, HR, administration and IT, as well as adding responsibility for  and will add responsibility for ADS (Alliance Distribution Services). Phil Knight, distribution director of ADS, will now report to Cocking. There will be no new c.e.o. for the time being.

Kitson said: “The death of Matt Richell in July was a devastating blow for Hachette Australia. Matt had only been in his new role as c.e.o. since February 2013, but in that short time he had begun to transform the company.  He had just started implementing a very clear new strategy and culture for Hachette in Australia and New Zealand which included putting our Australian publishing programme at the heart of the company and positioning it for growth; as well as focusing on consumer insight and reader engagement.

“Louise, Justin and David, along with Fiona, Mel and Phill, were key members of Matt’s team, and not only shared but helped implement his vision for the company. They have done a wonderful job honouring Matt and managing the company through the terrible weeks that followed his death. They have received tremendous support from every member of the Hachette team, our authors, customers, friends and colleagues the world over, all of who were invigorated by Matt’s vision and felt his loss keenly. It is very fitting that the part Louise, Justin and David played in developing Matt’s strategy, and the leadership skills they demonstrated so admirably following his death, should be formally acknowledged in their appointments as joint managing directors and chief operating officer.”

Sherwin-Stark, Ractliffe and Cocking will all report to Kitson.

“I know they will do an outstanding job of continuing the great work Matt had begun and I look forward to working closely with them and the rest of the talented team at Hachette Australia and New Zealand,” Kitson added.

Sherwin-Stark said: “Hachette Australia and New Zealand have started to see the positive impact of Matt’s strategy and vision for the company. Working with Richard over the last couple of months has allowed us to carry on with our work to deliver that vision as seamlessly as possible.”

Ractliffe said: “I feel very privileged to have worked with Matt and I’m absolutely committed to delivering his vision for this company.”