Ollard moves to S&S

Simon & Schuster has announced the appointment of Mark Ollard as finance director, beginning in his new position in June.

Reporting to Ian Chapman, Ollard will take responsibility for key finance areas, including royalty accounting, financial accounting and business analysis across S&S in the UK, Australia and India. He will also represent S&S UK in New York for corporate financial matters.

Ollard, a qualified charted accountant, spent 15 years with Pearson, beginning at the Financial Times before moving to Dorling Kindersley, then Penguin, where in 2003 he became head of commercial and strategic finance.

He said: "I'm passionate about publishing and books, but also about data and profitability and I know very well how integral a passionate and engaged finance team can be. I'm incredibly excited about the opportunity to be part of S&S' continued growth and success."

Chapman added: "I am delighted that Mark is joining Simon & Schuster UK. This is an exciting period for the finance department, which over the last two years has expanded its scope to a global level in taking on responsibility for India and Australia. As S&S continues to publish well and prosper in this challenging period for our industry, the finance department headed up by Mark will play a pivotal role in ensuring that we continue to be profitable, financially healthy and positioned for systematic and sustainable growth."