PRH UK confirms 38 roles to go

Penguin Random House UK (PRH UK) has confirmed that 38 roles are being removed from the business, with most affected staff leaving at the end of the year.

While roles are being cut across a number of different divisions and departments, The Bookseller understands that Children’s and Brand (previously known as Audiences) are two departments which are particularly affected.

The publisher had first proposed cutting 38 roles across several divisions and departments last month as it faces “longer-term challenges" around growing profits “in the face of increasing cost pressures”. A collective consultation process then took place, which was due to finish on 5th December but was extended for a few days. 

It was confirmed that the restructure is separate from the cuts at the third-party distribution services operation at Grantham. In an email to staff at the time c.e.o. Tom Weldon said the business was focused on a “dual strategy to invest to grow while being increasingly vigilant on costs”. The roles represent 1.84% of PRH UK’s headcount.

The Bookseller has reached out to the PRH Union Committee and National Union of Journalists for comment.