Perminder Mann to take reins at rebranded Bonnier

As the shake-up at Bonnier Publishing UK continues, the company has revealed a new reporting structure and rebrand, with Perminder Mann taking the reins as interim group c.e.o. Jim Zetterlund steps back.

The publisher will now be known as Bonnier Books UK, with a new logo [see below], brand identity and website, in a bid to align it more closely with its Swedish parent Bonnier Books.

Zetterlund is stepping down as interim group c.e.o. and will instead assume the position of chairman of the UK arm, with chief executive Mann leading the UK company and reporting directly to Bonnier Books in Sweden. However in this new position as chairman Zetterlund will still be involved in the day-to-day running of the business, The Bookseller understands.

The latest changes follow a series of high-level departures, including those last week of Mark Smith, c.e.o. of imprint Bonnier Zaffre, and Ben Dunn, managing director of its Kings Road Publishing division, and earlier c.e.o. Richard Johnson and c.o.o. Sharon Parker. Johnson left the firm after financial accounts had revealed Bonnier Publishing had “wrestled with profitability problems” as the result of rapid growth in 2017, an issue which had had a “strong negative effect” on the financial results of its Swedish parent company Bonnier Books. Zetterlund was then parachuted in from the parent company to take up the role of acting c.e.o., saying then that it was “now time” to establish the firm as a “fully-fledged publisher” and expressing a desire to increase its focus on fiction and narrative non-fiction.

Whereas before group’s American and Australian arms reported to Johnson, now Shimul Tolia is overseeing the US, reporting directly to Zetterlund.

In Australia, Bonnier Publishing Australia has closed down, with 35 of 36 staff made redundant earlier this year. However Angela Meyer, publisher of the Echo imprint, continues to work for Bonnier, from new office premises, now reporting in to Bonnier Zaffre. The children's imprint Five Mile sold a selection of non-licensed titles to Hardie Grant Egmont before the Five Mile name was acquired by Regency Media earlier this month.

Bonnier Publishing’s group functions will be absorbed into Bonnier Books UK, resulting in some changes to reporting lines: Lois Bray, group communications director, will report in to Mann; Justin King, chief technology officer, and Jon Watt, head of audio, will report into c.o.o. Jonathan Perdoni. Julian Shaw, group commercial director, will continue reporting into Zetterlund.

Zetterlund said: “Perminder has led the UK business with impressive skill and dedication over the past year and I am confident she is the right candidate to lead the company into the next phase of its journey. I look forward to continuing to work with Perminder and the senior management team in my new role as chairman.”