Hachette to create single children's division

25.09.14 | Lisa Campbell - The Bookseller

Hachette UK is to merge its three children's businesses into one division on 1st January 2015, with Egmont's Hilary Murray Hill (pictured) becoming its c.e.o.

The move will combine Hachette Children’s Books, Orion Children’s Publishing and Little, Brown Books for Young Readers and create a “rich and specialised children’s publishing division,” Tim Hely Hutchinson, c.e.o of Hachette, said.

Current Egmont m.d Murray Hill will lead the new Hachette Children's Group, joining the company on 13th January 2015. Marlene Johnson, c.e.o of Hachette Children’s Books, will retire at the end of 2014 after 40 years in publishing.

Hachette said the move aimed to develop “new strengths in children’s publishing” and there would be no redundancies as a result of the division’s creation.