The Bookseller.com

4th July 2009

Caroline Michel takes over at PFD

12.09.07 Joel Rickett

Caroline Michel, m.d. of the William Morris agency in the UK, is leaving to become chief executive of rival agency PFD. Michel has been brought in over the heads of the PFD management team, who have been attempting to negotiate a £4m buyout from parent CSS Stellar.

Michel’s appointment was made by David Buchler, the new executive chairman of CSS, who has promised to reshape PFD. It is likely to scotch any possibility of a management buyout at the literary and talent agency, as well as the £8m offer from Chorion. The reaction of the 14 lead PFD agents to the news is not known; Michel is meeting her new team this afternoon.

Michel joined William Morris in 2005 after a turbulent stint as m.d. of HarperCollins’ literary division HarperPress. She previously spent a decade as publisher of Vintage. She is married to (Lord) Matthew Evans, former chairman of Faber. Her departure from US-centred William Morris is
said to be amicable.

PFD, based in Covent Garden, represents writers including Julian Barnes, Alan Bennett, Simon Schama, as well as directors, actors and composers including Ricky Gervais, Dawn French, Ewan Macgregor and Keira Knightley.

It also controls the estates of classic authors including Hilaire Belloc, Nancy Mitford, and Evelyn Waugh. Since 2001 it has been a subsidiary of publicly-listed sports and events company CSS Stellar. Buchler, who has replaced the retired Peter Owen as CSS chairman, has a track record in corporate turnarounds. Michel will also join the CSS board as executive director.

Todays Picks Joel Rickett William Morris PFD Caroline Michel

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