Ian Smith has unexpectedly left his post as ceo of Reed Elsevier after just eight months on the job, leaving “by mutual agreement” according to a company statement. Chairman Anthony Habgood says “Ian has had the difficult task of leading Reed Elsevier during unprecedentedly turbulent economic times.” Elsevier’s top executive for the past five years Erik Engstrom, 46, takes over immediately as ceo. In a separate release, the company moved up its six-month trading update to today: “The major professional markets, accounting for the majority of Reed Elsevier’s business, are proving more resilient than most but not immune from late […]
