Shaw joins Welbeck from Lifebook

Lifebook c.e.o. Julian Shaw is joining Welbeck as group finance and operations director, after two previous attempts to lure him to the firm failed.

Shaw starts on 2nd March, taking responsibility for the finance and production departments.

A qualified chartered accountant, Shaw has most recently led private autobiography publisher Lifebook. Before that, he was group commercial director of Bonnier, and he has also held roles with Hachette UK, Simon & Schuster, the Telegraph Media Group and Sky TV.

Welbeck executive director Marcus Leaver said: "Mark [Smith, co-founder] and I are both very pleased that Julian is joining us as we have tried to convince him to come to Welbeck twice already. It would appear that we have succeeded at our third attempt."

Shaw added: "I watched with great interest over the course of 2019 as Marcus and Mark began to implement their plans for Welbeck Publishing Group. I was unable to join them last year due to other commitments, but I am delighted to now do so as finance and operations director, and look forward to being a key part of the business' future success."