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Sarah Benton and Jonathan Perdoni to head up Bonnier Books UK as Perminder Mann departs for S&S
Sarah Benton and Jonathan Perdoni have been appointed as joint CEOs of Bonnier Books UK (BBUK) following the departure of Perminder Mann, who has been named the new CEO of Simon & Schuster International.
Taking on the role of co-CEO, Benton – who is currently MD of the adult trade division – will also become an executive director of the UK Group, joining Bonnier’s current COO/CFO Perdoni, as well as Håkan Rudels and Jim Zetterlund, on the Board. She joined BBUK two years ago and has since overseen a transformation of the adult trade division, leading to over 100% growth in profit and UK TCM growth year-on-year.
Last year, Benton also oversaw the integration of Black & White Publishing Group and the implementation of a new imprint structure for the adult division, which is projecting additional growth of 20% this year.
"I am delighted to be appointed to this new role, alongside Jon," Benton said. "It comes at a time where we are in an excellent place to build on the success of Bonnier Books UK and everything that makes it special. I am hugely grateful to Perminder and all she has done to make the business what it is today, as well as thankful for her personal support and mentorship."
Perdoni has been at the company for 15 years and was appointed COO/CFO in 2018, spearheading the overhaul and modernisation of the publisher’s business operations and steering its sustainability work. "I am thrilled to be working with Sarah in this new capacity for a business I know and value," Perdoni said. "We both bring different expertise and experience to the table, but share an understanding of what makes Bonnier Books UK great and what we can do to build on everything achieved so far."
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He added: "I feel privileged to have worked alongside Perminder for over a decade and to have seen through the business transformation with her. I look ahead to the future of Bonnier Books UK with great excitement, as we continue our UK growth plans apace, through organic opportunities and acquisitions."
BBUK is celebrating its 10-year anniversary, and it is home to authors such as Lynda La Plante, Donna Ashworth, Heather Morris, TM Logan and Holly Black. Last year, it launched its SFF list, expanded into the Romance genre and started the lifestyle imprint LEAP with publisher Carole Tonkinson.
"This exciting change of leadership is an important milestone for Bonnier Books UK and it brings me great pleasure to announce Sarah and Jonathan as joint CEOs," said Jim Zetterlund, chair of BBUK and COO/CFO of Bonnier Books globally. "I look forward to this dynamic new chapter in our ambitious expansion plans for the UK business."
On Mann’s departure, Zetterlund added: "Perminder was an exceptional and innovative leader during the last eight years, building the business and helping to drive it to significant growth. She will be greatly missed and we wish her every success in the future."
