McShane new Waterstones head of books

Waterstones has announced former Piccadilly store manager Rik McShane as its new head of books at the same time as appointing Steve Monaghan as director of IT and e-commerce as Helen Baker steps down from the role.

McShane, who was also previously store communications manager, will now hold the title formerly occupied by Toby Bourne as head of books, and will be responsible for new title buying, range, publisher liaison and merchandising teams as well as commercial managers at the centre and in the regions.

A Waterstones spokesman said: “Rik's immediate priority will be to ensure a consistent vision across these areas and further develop the links between the book teams, shops and operations within Waterstones, and externally with publishers.”

Meanwhile Baker has left the company to join Neal’s Yard and will be replaced by Monaghan, from Sony Entertainment, who held a comparable position there.

Toby Bourne left Waterstones in July 2011 shortly after James Daunt joined the company as managing director following its sale to Russian oligarch Alexander Mamut.