In a significant leadership change at HarperCollins UK, CEO Charlie Redmayne has stepped down from his position. Kate Elton has been appointed as his successor, taking on the role of interim CEO.
New Leadership at HarperCollins
Elton will have a pivotal role within the company, joining the global executive committee. She will oversee operations in the UK and Ireland, directly reporting to Brian Murray, the president and CEO of HarperCollins Publishers Worldwide. Additionally, HarperCollins operations in India and Australia/New Zealand will now fall under Murray’s purview.
Background of the Transition
Charlie Redmayne has led HarperCollins since 2013. Before this role, he was with the company from 2011 to 2013, following a stint as CEO at Pottermore. His resignation comes as a surprise, and no statement has been issued by Redmayne regarding the decision.
Kate Elton’s Experience
Kate Elton brings substantial experience to her new position. Since 2023, she has served as the group managing director for the Adult Commercial Divisions, which include notable imprints such as:
- HarperFiction
- HarperNonFiction
- Avon
- One More Chapter
- HarperNorth
- HQ
- Mills & Boon
- Pavilion
Elton joined HarperCollins in 2011, initially as the publisher for HarperFiction. She expanded her responsibilities in 2014 by taking on HarperNonFiction and Avon. Prior to her time at HarperCollins, Elton spent 15 years at Random House, further enriching her qualifications for this leadership role.
Future Appointments
As the company navigates this transition, an announcement will be made in the future regarding a permanent CEO appointment. The publishing industry will be keenly watching how these changes impact HarperCollins and its various imprints.
