Madeline McIntosh steps down as chief executive of Penguin Random House US

Madeline McIntosh is to step down from her role as c.e.o. of Penguin Random House US after almost three decades at the company.

In a long memo sent today (31st January), McIntosh told staff she would not be leaving right away but that she and interim c.e.o. Nihar Malaviya would be working together to determine the plan for the company. For the time being, she said, “all remains as usual”.

“I know you’ll be in good hands with Nihar and the US board. They know and love this business as much as I do” she continued. On why she has decided to leave she said: “I don’t think chief executives should stay in their seats forever. Fresh perspectives can be incredibly healthy and helpful for organisations and so I believe this is not only the best decision for me, but also for PRH. As much as I know we’d continue to thrive together with me here, I also think there’s good to be had in embracing change."

McIntosh added that another reason for her departure was about her professional growth. “Even though I’ve spent so much of my life in a single company, my path through books has never been linear. From editorial, to new media, to sales, to audio, to Amazon (and Luxembourg!), to leadership of our digital transition, to the making of Penguin Random House, to publishing with the Penguins and finally to this seat: It’s a road that would have been hard to plan for or predict. The points of my biggest pivots are exactly the ones that taught me the most.

“You’ll be curious about what my next act will be, and, believe me, I am, too! There are ideas I’ve had over the years that have never found a natural fit within PRH but which I’m excited to explore now. After all these years inside the safe and supportive home that is our company, I’m itching to make another leap."

A separate memo sent to employees from Malaviya, Markus Dohle’s interim successor, said: “Over the past almost 30 years Madeline has played an invaluable role in our company and in our day-to-day work lives. [She has] an innate gift to cut through the complexity surrounding a problem and decide on and take the needed key actions." He praised her “ability to see around corners and be at the forefront of developments”. It was a gift that was clear from the beginning of her career, he added.

“As a company we have greatly benefited from her endless curiosity coupled with her drive to action and I have no doubt that she will bring these wonderful attributes to her next venture.

“I have been fortunate to have learned so much from Madeline throughout the years we have worked together and have benefited from her friendship, both personally and professionally. Over the next weeks, Madeline and I will be carrying forward our collaboration and working together to shape the new organisation.”

He said they would work closely to minimise disruption to the company and staff. “I understand that changes like this naturally create unease," Malaviya went on. "Please rest assured that we will move as quickly as possible. During this time, I urge you to continue focusing on doing what you do better than anyone—connecting our books with the most readers possible.”

McIntosh was appointed c.e.o. of Penguin Random House US in April 2018. She had joined the Random House predecessor, Bantam Doubleday Dell, in 1994 as an assistant in the New Media department. In addition to the variety of positions she has held within PRH, she served in 2008 and 2009 as the director of Kindle Content Acquisition for Amazon, based in Luxembourg.

McIntosh’s departure comes weeks after Gina Centrello, president and publisher of Random House in the US, announced she would be retiring. Before Christmas, global c.e.o. Markus Dohle stepped down, following PRH’s agreement to purchase Simon & Schuster (S&S) falling through, in the wake of the US government blocking the merger.