Bertrams completes Dawson Books acquisition

Bertrams has made three management team appointments, with Nick Harknett joining as group commercial director as parent company Smiths News Group completes its purchase of the Dawson Group.

Smiths News now owns the Dawson Group, including Dawson Books, and has reiterated its plan to integrate the Dawson Books academic library supply business with Bertrams.

Nick Harknett, Dawson Books managing director, has been appointed group commercial director, with responsibility for all commercial functions including buying, publisher relations, sales and marketing across the wholesale, academic and public library businesses. Buying director Roger Miah, UK sales and marketing director Chris Rushby and library services commercial director Jaimie Dorward will all report to Harknett.

Bertrams m.d. Graeme Underhill said: "Nick is currently managing director of Dawson Books and I have asked him to retain that responsibility until the business is fully integrated into Bertrams. This means that for a time he will have the challenging dual role of leading Dawson Books as well as his wider responsibilities for commercial matters in Bertrams. We are delighted to have Nick on board."

Additionally, Dawson Books sales director Jason Cherrington has been appointed international sales director, with responsibility for international sales across the wholesale and library businesses. He will report to Harknett, and will retain his responsibility as sales director for Dawson Books, combining with the new role until  the point of integration.

Supply chain manager Wilf Mulliner has been appointed libraries operations manager, with responsibility for the operational side of both Bertram Library Services in Norwich and Dawson Books in Rushden, reporting to Bertrams operations director Barry Robinson.

Underhill added: "I am delighted that Jason and Wilf will also be joining the senior team here at Bertrams. They bring a wealth of experience and a fresh outlook that will be a real asset to our company as we look to the future."

Harknett said working groups from both companies are currently looking at how Smiths News and Dawson Books and their staff will be integrated, with no decisions taken as yet. He added they were assessing "what is the best thing for the businesses" and that they were hoping to announce the integration plan in early October.