Louise Sherwin-Stark Appointed CEO of Hachette Australia and New Zealand

Richard Kitson, Chair of Hachette Australia and New Zealand and Deputy CEO of Hachette UK, is pleased to announce that Louise Sherwin-Stark, currently Joint Managing Director of Hachette Australia and New Zealand, has been appointed CEO. The appointment is effective immediately, reporting to Richard Kitson.

Mel Winder, Managing Director of Hachette New Zealand and Hachette Australia board members Justin Ractliffe, Managing Director, and Fiona Hazard, Group Publishing Director, whose new title reflects her involvement in New Zealand Publishing, will report directly to Louise Sherwin-Stark as will David Cocking, Chief Operating Officer. In her new role, Louise will have overall responsibility for all parts of the business, including Australian Publishing, Publicity and Marketing.

Richard Kitson says: “I am absolutely delighted that Louise is to become CEO of Hachette Australia and New Zealand. She is a natural leader and a brilliant publisher, and her huge flair and enthusiasm inspires all who work with her. Louise and Justin jointly stepped into the role of Managing Director in October 2014 following the sudden and tragic death of Matt Richell. They steadied the ship and carried on the great work that Matt had started and since then have made their own mark on the company with a long list of brilliant achievements. Now is the time for Louise to step up again into the new role of CEO and I am very pleased that Justin will continue as Managing Director. He is a brilliant strategic thinker who has not only driven marketing and publicity strategy in a rapidly changing environment, and, in collaboration with Fiona, the publishing strategy, but also masterminded the ABIA Awards on behalf of the entire Australian industry. This year Hachette won 5 awards, including 3 for Nevermoor: The Trials of Morrigan Crow, celebrating our outstanding local publishing and we have a very strong second half to the year. Under Louise in her new role, supported by the HANZ board and our incredibly talented colleagues, I have no doubt that the best is yet to come”.

Louise Sherwin-Stark says: “Thank you to the Hachette Australia and New Zealand board, particularly my close colleague Justin Ractliffe, for working so creatively and collaboratively over the last few years, and to Richard Kitson for his insight and support. We have worked hard to make Hachette a great place to work, to attract the very best Australian writers and illustrators and to publish all our books, local and international, exceptionally well.

“The industry is constantly evolving and changing, and I look forward to working with the board and everyone at Hachette Australia and New Zealand to meet the challenges and opportunities that arise. More broadly, I look forward to promoting the benefits of reading so that our industry thrives and Australians are entertained, educated and stimulated by the best stories from around the world.