Margaret Thompson appointed Managing Director
of
Penguin Random House New Zealand
30 April
2014 Auckland:
Penguin Random House today announced a new leadership structure in New Zealand
with Margaret Thompson appointed to the newly created position of Managing
Director, Penguin Random House New Zealand.
Gabrielle
Coyne, Chief Executive Officer Penguin Random House Asia Pacific, said, “I am
delighted Margaret has accepted this important new role. Along with her
wide ranging experience, Margaret brings a strong mix of publishing acumen,
matched with an unwavering sales optimism and flair.”
Margaret
Thompson’s career in publishing spans more than 30 years across Australia and
New Zealand. She has been Managing Director of Penguin New Zealand since
2005. In 2007 Margaret steered the acquisition of Reed Publishing and in
2009 led Penguin’s acquisition of Mallinson Rendell Publishing; the originating
publisher of Lynley Dodd, author of the global bestselling Hairy Maclary
books, which have now sold over 9 million copies worldwide.
Margaret
Thompson said, “I am delighted to accept this position and look forward to
leading the Penguin Random House team to create an exciting new company which
will continue to be committed to local publishing, supportive of our authors
and booksellers and focused on maintaining a vibrant and creative presence in
New Zealand.”
With Margaret’s
appointment, Karen Ferns Joint Managing Director of Random House Australia and
New Zealand will sadly leave the company on 16 May.
Karen has
made an invaluable contribution to Random House growing the sales and company
over many years. Highly respected within the publishing industry, Karen
has been a passionate advocate for New Zealand and New Zealand
publishing. She joined Random House New Zealand as Sales and Marketing
Director in 1999 and was appointed Managing Director in 2008. In 2012 she was
appointed Joint Managing Director of Random House Australia and New Zealand.
