THIS WEEK


Booksellers & distributors


Claire Bayliss Andrea Bennett Nic Bottomley Carl Cowling Julie Danskin James Daunt Maria Dickenson Peter Gray Liam Hanly Paul Hulley Claire Johnson Simon Johnson Bob Johnston Roly Keating Jonathan Little Raj Patel Nick Poole David Prescott Mike Roberts Pete Selby Kate Skipper David Taylor Robert Topping


The Lead Story The Bookseller 150


Claire Bayliss Te Book People Chief executive officer


New Entry


Claire Bayliss took over from Simon Mason as The Book People’s c.e.o. in August, after the former spent six months in


the role. Claiming the company had become “invisible” in recent years, Bayliss immediately launched a strategic review of the business, then invested in a new e-commerce platform, extra school book buses and additional field support. The Big Book Boost, which sees £1 donated to school libraries for every order over £10, also launched, along with the company’s first ever TV adverts.


Andrea Bennett Te Works Buying director


The industry has been talking a lot in recent years about regional diversity and expanding the customer base to non-traditional and reluctant readers. The Works, by dint of the demographics it serves and the areas it operates in, has been doing this is practice for yonks. The cheap and cheerful chain is in fine fettle, with an expanding estate of over 500 stores and revenues in its 2019 fiscal year of £217.5m, helped mightily by the razor-sharp Bennett—whose role covers all of the retailer’s product lines—and her books team.


Carl Cowling W H Smith Chief executive officer


New Entry


Cowling has two tough acts to follow as c.e.o. of W H Smith. Kate Swann set the share- holder-friendly strategy of


improving profits at the expense of sales, with immediate past-c.e.o. Stephen Clarke emulating her. It’s been remark- ably successful too, with WHS’ share price trading at its highest level in five years, and the group eyeing acquisitions, including the airport retailer InMotion Entertainment. Cowling will be mindful that investment in stores at home will be as vital as looking overseas for growth.


Julie Danskin Golden Hare Books Manager


Danskin is the manager of Edinburgh’s Golden Hare Books, which was named Independent Bookshop of the Year at this year’s Nibbies, with the judges praising its “stylish boutique-style store, sharp growth in sales and capacity for innovation”. This innovation includes the Edinburgh Book Fringe, a festival Golden Hare runs in partnership with fellow indie Lighthouse Books and which this summer hosted authors including Elif Shafak and Marina Warner. Danskin also co-crowdfunded for the launch of new Scottish literary magazine Extra Teeth.


Maria Dickenson Dubray Books Managing director


Dickenson’s Dubray is, broadly, Ireland’s Foyles (if Foyles were still an indepen- dent): a mini-chain which punches far above its weight in its impact on the cultural life of a nation. That’s not to underplay its fine performance, as Dubray is roaring. Sales climbed 5% in its latest set of results, driven by a 52% jump in its online business, thanks to a revamped website. In June this year, Dubray opened its first new premises in 15 years, in the Liffey Valley shopping centre on the outskirts of Dublin, bring- ing the estate up to nine shops.


24 13th December 2019


Nic Bottomley Mr B’s/Booksellers Association Owner/president


After crowdfunding almost £64,000 to expand its premises at the end of 2018, a revamped Mr B’s Emporium (which Bottomley co-owns with his wife, Juliette) opened its doors early this year, boasting a new children’s section and space for more stock and events. In his BA president’s role, Bottomley has spoken out on many issues affecting the book trade. Following the association’s release of a green manifesto for the industry, he made a call to action for “big collaborative conversations” at the trade body’s annual conference.


The Bookseller 151st


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