Jo Henry to leave Nielsen Book after 20 years

Jo Henry, v.p. insight & analytics at Nielsen Book, is leaving the company after more than 20 years.

Henry, who currently has responsibility for the company’s consumer research activities, will leave Nielsen Book on 31st March.

Henry joined the firm in autumn 2013 as part of Nielsen Book's acquisition of Bowker Market Research, where she had been director. Prior to that she was managing director of both Publishing News and Book Marketing Ltd (BML), the latter being the precursor to Nielsen Book’s consumer insights division.

Discussing her decision, Henry said has "very much enjoyed" her time with Nielsen Book, in its "central position" in the book industry, but added that this was the right moment to move on and concentrate on other projects. 

"When I started as managing director of BML all those years ago, book market research was in its infancy", she said. "Now consumer insight is a key component of the continued success of the publishing industry that I know and love. I’m looking forward to working with many of the truly inspiring people I know in the book world in my new ventures.”

After more than 20 years working at BML and then Nielsen, Henry told the Bookseller she thought it was a good time to step back from the company and explore other opportunities.

The decision has been really "energising" Henry said, adding that she was "really excited" about the future.

"I have no definite plans. I've just come back from a month's sabbatical so I'm feeling slightly chilled. I definitely don't want a full time job. I've got lots of experience in sales, marketing, as well as market research and in the trade press, [so there is much potential for future projects]", she said.