The Bookseller.com

8th October 2008

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Up to 12 jobs may go at Bloomsbury

08.11.07 Katherine Rushton

Bloomsbury is expected to cut around 10% of its staff, in line with efforts by the publicly listed company to position itself for "continued organic growth" after Harry Potter. Insiders say that eight to 12 jobs are under threat, primarily across the marketing department and children's editorial. Most of the cuts are expected to affect junior staff.

Bloomsbury currently employs 104 UK staff across its trade division. Staff are undergoing a consultation process due to end this week. It will not affect A & C Black.

Bloomsbury chief executive Nigel Newton could not be contacted for comment. But he told The Bookseller last week: "The continued organic growth of the company has led to a time to redefine some roles and responsibilities in some areas. We are consulting with some departments to review their structures. This may result in a small number of employees leaving the business through redundancy."

Insiders are "angry and disappointed", blaming the management for preparing poorly for the end of the Potter franchise. "Being a publicly listed company, things probably had been a bit baggy," said one member of staff. "There has been a lot of recruitment over the last two years, but it isn't as if we haven't always known that Harry Potter would be coming to an end."

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