Penguin chief to join family business

Thursday 20 June 1996 23:02 BST
Comments

Your support helps us to tell the story

From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.

At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.

The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.

Your support makes all the difference.

The head of the Penguin Group of publishers is leaving after 18 years to run his family's trade publishing house in New York, it was announced yesterday.

Peter Mayer, chairman and chief executive officer since 1978, will leave Penguin at the end of this year to take charge of the Overlook Press, a publishing house he established with his father in 1971.

Mr Mayer will continue to act in the role of "senior adviser" to Penguin, possibly Britain's best-known publisher with authors ranging from Graham Greene and Gabriel Garcia Marquez to Dick Francis and Stephen King. Duncan Campbell-Smith, recently appointed development director at Penguin UK, is among those tipped as his successor.

Mr Mayer, 60, was seen as an unlikely addition to Penguin because of his direct, almost "brash" approach. He presided over the unpopular closure of the Pelican line of books and the unexpectedly popular launch of the 60p classic, which is said to have changed received wisdom about the way the public acquires culture.

More importantly, he has overseen Penguin's recent transformation from a loss-making business.

Join our commenting forum

Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies

Comments

Thank you for registering

Please refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in