Expanded role for Barnsley following Friedman exit

HARPERCOLLINS' UK CEO Victoria Barnsley takes on the new role of CEO and Publisher HCUK and International, overseeing the UK, Australia, New Zealand, India and South Africa, following this week's sudden departure of HarperCollins Worldwide CEO and President Jane Friedman and the promotion of former Worldwide President Brian Murray to the top job. In another newly created role, Michael Morrison, President and Group Publisher of the Harper/Morrow division, has been promoted to President and Publisher US General Books and Canada. Barnsley said: "I am thrilled to have the opportunity to extend my remit at HC internationally. The rest of the world offers us tremendous growth opportunities and will be an ever more important part of our business. I've worked with Brian and Michael for several years and believe that, as a team, we can take HC to even greater heights."

Industry observers, while paying respects to Friedman's skills as a publisher, believe that her successor, the 41-year-old Murray, has a more appropriate set of skills for running a global company.

The full PN story here.