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Bertrams has announced a shake-up of its executive team following its acquisition of Dawson Books, seeing Nick Harknett and Chris Rushby leave the business and former Waterstones head of books Toby Bourne join.
The head office reshuffle is a move designed to “sell more books” following Dawson's integration with Bertrams’ Norwich site after Smiths News’ acquisition of Dawson last June, according to m.d. Graeme Underhill.
The shake-up sees former Dawson Books m.d. Nick Harknett, who was appointed group commercial director in September, leave after 20 months, and Chris Rushby, UK sales and marketing director, who had been at Bertrams for seven years, also leave to “pursue other opportunities".
Toby Bourne, who was Waterstones’ head of books until he left the chain bookseller in June last year, will now become buying and marketing director for the company after working with the team on a consultative basis for the past six months.
Another new addition is Jason Cherrington who has been appointed as sales director of Bertrams; Cherrington has 20 years’ ICT and new media markets experience for companies including BT, Orange and Skype.
Underhill said: “The combined business will now operate with one leadership team, ensuring a more consistent offer to publishers and retailers.
“Chris Rushby has served the Bertrams business with skill and commitment for over seven years. I would like to thank Chris for his contribution and professionalism and wish him every success as he leaves to pursue other opportunities. Nick Harknett was managing director of Dawson Books and has been instrumental in managing the integration of the business. Now this is nearing completion we are clearer on our management needs and Nick has decided to pursue his career elsewhere. I would like to thank Nick for his support and wish him well for the future."
Bourne said he was “delighted” to be joining Bertrams and intended to grow book sales. He said: “In my time here, I’ve been impressed by the passion and knowledge of the team, and I’m looking forward to working with them and publishers to grow sales of both printed and digital books across all our channels.”
Cherrington said the company was now a “bigger and stronger” organisation, designed to meet the needs of its customer base. “I will be looking to draw on my previous experiences in leading highly effective sales teams that are focussed on putting the customer at the heart of all that we do and making a real difference,” he added.
Bertrams is also welcoming former Dawson Books employees Jude Norris and Paul Whittingham to its senior management team and announced that Roger Miah has been promoted from buyer to director of trade sales UK.