Louise Sherwin‐Stark appointed c.e.o of Hachette Australia and New Zealand

Louise Sherwin‐Stark, joint managing director of Hachette Australia and New Zealand, has been appointed as chief executive.

In her new role Sherwin‐Stark will have overall responsibility for all parts of the business, including Australian publishing, publicity and marketing.

She will report to Richard Kitson, chair of Hachette Australia and New Zealand and deputy c.e.o. of Hachette UK, while Mel Winder, m.d. of Hachette New Zealand and Hachette Australia board members Justin Ractliffe, m.d., Fiona Hazard, group publishing director and David Cocking, chief operating officer, will report directly in to her.

Kitson praised Sherwin‐Stark as "a natural leader".

"I am absolutely delighted that Louise is to become c.e.o. of Hachette Australia and New Zealand. She is a natural leader and a brilliant publisher, and her huge flair and enthusiasm inspires all who work with her," he said. 

"Louise and Justin jointly stepped into the role of managing director in October 2014 following the sudden and tragic www.thebookseller.com/news/hachette-australia-ceo-matt-richell-dies-while-surfing">death of Matt Richell. They steadied the ship and carried on the great work that Matt had started and since then have made their own mark on the company with a long list of brilliant achievements. Now is the time for Louise to step up again into the new role of c.e.o. and I am very pleased that Justin will continue as managing director. He is a brilliant strategic thinker who has not only driven marketing and publicity strategy in a rapidly changing environment, and, in collaboration with Fiona, the publishing strategy, but also masterminded the ABIA Awards on behalf of the entire Australian industry.

"This year Hachette won five awards, including three for Nevermoor: The Trials of Morrigan Crow, celebrating our outstanding local publishing and we have a very strong second half to the year. Under Louise in her new role, supported by the HANZ board and our incredibly talented colleagues I have no doubt that the best is yet to come”.

Sherwin‐Stark thanked the Hachette Australia and New Zealand board, as well as Ractliffe "for working so creatively and collaboratively over the last few years", and Richard Kitson "for his insight and support".

"We have worked hard to make Hachette a great place to work, to attract the very best Australian writers and illustrators and to publish all our books, local and international, exceptionally well," she said. "The industry is constantly evolving and changing, and I look forward to working with the board and everyone at Hachette Australia and New Zealand to meet the challenges and opportunities that arise. More broadly, I look forward to promoting the benefits of reading so that our industry thrives and Australians are entertained, educated and stimulated by the best stories from around the world."