Bertelsmann has hired Judith Hartmann as cfo, starting some time prior to the end of the year, filling the past that was held by Thomas Rabe before he became CEO at the beginning of 2012. Hartmann is currently cfo of GE Deutschland and will also become a member of Bertelsmann’s group management committee
Andrew Hodder-Williams is rejoining Lion Hudson–where he started his career almost thirty years ago–as publishing director, starting August 6. Since 1997, he has worked as a publishing and telecommunications consultant for KPMG Consulting and Atos, as well as working as an independent consultant. Nick Jones has taken the role of acting managing director/international sales director.
Random House Australia managing director Margie Seale will resign from her position at the end of November after more than 12 years, though she will continue to act as a non-executive director of the Random House ANZ businesses. The Australian reports Seale has also been appointed non-executive director of Telstra and current coo of Random House Australia Andrew Davis and managing director of RH New Zealand Karen Ferns would jointly replace Seale on December 1, reporting to Random House Group head of UK and overseas operations Brian Davies. “It has been a great 12 years at Random House and a delight to work with so many talented people. This has been a difficult decision to make, but the timing now feels right,” Seale said in a statement.
Drew Schnoebelen has joined Europa Editions as sales and marketing director. He was most recently general manager at Borders in Pocatello, ID.
At Simon & Schuster Children’s, Katrinka Geslani has been named associate demand planner covering the Aladdin & Simon Pulse imprints.
Melissa Bounty has been promoted to the new position of associate publisher of Chooseco’s Choose Your Own Adventure series. She has been the senior managing editor of the series for five years.
Mira Trenchard and Elizabeth Cochrane of Mira Trenchard Literary Scouting in the UK are scouting for Forlaget in Norway and Sonatine and Cherche Midi in France.
The National Endowment of the Arts announced more than $1 million in The Big Read grants to 78 organizations for the 2012-13 calendar year, ranging between $3500 and $20,000 per individual grant.