The Bookseller.com

5th July 2009

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Smith quits Waterstone's for Samedaybooks

23.07.07 Graeme Neill

Kieron Smith, Waterstone’s online commercial operations manager, is to join Samedaybooks as manager of the company's e-commerce operations in September. A replacement for Smith at Waterstone’s has not yet been named. Smith joined Waterstone’s last year from video game retailer Game and was one of those responsible for revamping Waterstone’s website.

The announcement came during a busy day of activity for Samedaybooks. It earlier revealed that it had bought Country Bookshop, the online bookselling business and community website for £500,000. The deal does not include the shop, but does include Country Bookshop founder Sridhar Siddegowa, who will join the Samedaybooks management team in order to provide “strategic advice on e-commerce activities across the company”.

At Samedaybooks' annual general meeting today, it was proposed that the company change its name to ArgentVive. Charles Denton, the deputy chairman of the company who took over the ailing business earlier this year, said that it will develop its e-commerce and e-learning businesses.

Martin Hearn also announced that he is stepping down from the board of the company to become managing director of Midas Merchant, a subsidiary of the company. Andrew Wells will also step down as finance director at the end of September 2007, but will remain on the board until 31st December.

The Country Bookshop takeover is Charles Denton’s first acquisition since he took a controlling stake in the troubled retail business.

waterstone's Graeme Neill Samedaybooks Kieron Smith