Beecroft appointed Collins Learning m.d.

Alex Beecroft, formerly HarperCollins UK’s director of corporate development, has been appointed m.d. of Collins Learning.

He replaces Colin Hughes, who has left after eight years to join exam board AQA Education as chief executive officer.

Beecroft joined HarperCollins through the graduate scheme in 2009, going on to work on group strategy before taking on the corporate development role in 2014 and joining the HarperCollins UK executive committee in 2016.

Since then he has worked with HarperCollins c.e.o. Charlie Redmayne to develop group strategy with responsibility for mergers and acquisitions and expanding the role of pricing and analytics. Most recently, he led the acquisition of Egmont Books UK.

Beecroft said: “The Collins Learning business is in great shape. I am hugely excited to be taking on this role and to have the opportunity to work with the expert leadership and the incredible Collins Learning team as we continue to grow the business and build on the many successes of recent months.”

Redmayne added: “I am delighted that Alex has agreed to step into the role of m.d. of Collins Learning. I have worked closely with him for the last seven years and found him to be a brilliant strategist and innovative business leader. With the exceptional team we already have in place within Collins Learning I have no doubt that under his leadership the business will go from strength to strength.”