The Bookseller.com

1st December 2008

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Roche joins HarperCollins

27.08.08 Graeme Neill

Former Borders c.e.o. David Roche has joined HarperCollins as a consultant working in the sales and marketing department. Roche started at the publisher on Wednesday (27th August) and reports directly to Victoria Barnsley, c.e.o. and publisher of HarperCollins UK and international. A spokesperson for the publisher said Roche had joined on "a short term consultancy basis to provide a unique insight into our sales operation from the perspective of a real retail expert".

Roche resigned from Borders UK in January, several months after the retailer was bought out by investment firm Risk Capital Partners. Roche was replaced by Borders' former managing director Philip Downer.

The appointment does not affect HarperCollins' search for a new group sales and marketing director. The publisher is still seeking a replacement for David Swarbrick, who was appointed HarperCollins' new m.d. for international business development earlier this month.

Roche did not comment to The Bookseller about the move. In January the former Waterstone's product director gave an indication of where his future could lie. "I have a great passion for the world of publishing and all that it encompasses and hope that I can remain involved in some capacity," he said.

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