Phil Henderson to join Blackwell's

Asda books buying manager Phil Henderson is leaving the supermarket chain to join Blackwell's as sales and marketing director this summer. 

Henderson will join the Blackwell's board alongside c.e.o. David Prescott, Emma Hillyard, Kieron Smith, Kate Stilborn and Anthony Thompson who it was announced last week is re-joining Blackwell’s as non-executive chairman in July. 

Prescott said: "In what was an exceptional field of candidates for the role, we are delighted that Phil has chosen to join us at such an exciting time for Blackwell’s.  Over the past few years the business has made significant progress, continuing to grow sales through investing in our online capabilities and shops, so Phil’s appointment is a pivotal one in maintaining our momentum as we all seek to deliver our goal of sustained profitability."

Henderson joined Asda in 1997 as a store-based graduate trainee, performing a variety of buying, senior manager and trading roles in a 22 year career with the supermarket, before taking on the Books category role in 2014.

Andrew Thompson, Asda senior buying manager for entertainment paid tribute to Henderson. He said: "Phil has been an incredible colleague and has done a fantastic job in leading our books strategy to great positive effect. I would like to thank him for his blood, sweat and tears over the years, and in particular congratulate him for the strength and shape that he will leave the Asda books team and core business in. It is with sadness but also a sense of pride that we see Phil leaving to take up the opportunity with Blackwell’s."

Henderson, a member of the Booksellers Association Council and one of the Bookseller 100 in 2017, said he is "delighted to join Blackwell's following the departure of Dean Drew. 

"Blackwell’s is a business I’ve admired for a long time, and the opportunity to work alongside the knowledgeable and passionate booksellers who make the company so special is a privilege," said Henderson. "I’m delighted to be joining such a great team at such an exciting time."