Blackwell Ltd confirms that by mutual agreement Vince Gunn, CEO of Blackwell UK Ltd, has decided to leave the business

Vince has led Blackwell UK Limited for three and a half years and during that time has overseen extensive transformational changes in the business. The company's sales and margin growth has continued year on year in the Retail Division with this year again proving strong.

Under his leadership, his team has produced some excellent results and the Blackwell brand is now firmly re-established as an authentic and specialist brand serving customers and working with publishers and suppliers in a manner they expect.

Vince has delivered on the key objectives of the Business Plan and in addition has recently initiated two new future developments - the launch of the 'Knowledge Transfer Partnership' (KTP) publishing programme with Oxford Brookes University, as well as the unique Espresso Book Machine agreement with On Demand Books.

He leaves with the company holding the two most prestigious awards in the Book Industry (Retail Book Chain of the Year and Bookselling Company of the Year) as well as Broad Street retaining Academic Bookstore of the Year again. This year, Blackwell is shortlisted for three awards in the Book Industry and two in the Retail Industry.

Andrew Hutchings, CEO of Blackwell Book Services will now assume the roll of Blackwell Group Chief Executive Officer taking full responsibility for both Blackwell Book Services and Blackwell UK Ltd. Andrew takes up his new role with immediate effect and the BUK Board now report directly to him.

"We believe there are significant synergies to be gained from the two businesses working more closely together. In line with this, Andrew's appointment enables us to move quickly to a single executive management structure." said Stephen Harlow, Blackwell Chairman

Additional information - Andrew Hutchings

Andrew Hutchings joined Blackwell's Oxford office in 1987. He led both the Information Technology and Marketing departments in Oxford while also completing the Blackwell's Management Training program.

After a three year assignment in Blackwell USA Oregon offices leading the integration of the global businesses, Andrew took on global responsibility for the Acquisitions and Distribution functions.

Andrew took on the role of BBS UK Managing Director in March 2005 and led the recovery in performance within that business unit. Andrew helped to guide the business through another system change when Blackwell Books Services moved from its mainframe technology to a new Windows-based system.

Andrew was appointed Blackwell Book Services CEO in March 2007.

During Andrew's time, Blackwell have acquired Everett's Library Services and more recently Houtschild Library Booksellers in The Hague, adding to their portfolio of businesses in the US (Portland, Oregon, Blackwood, New Jersey), Oxford UK and Sydney, Australia.

Andrew's strong background in IT has helped with development and enhancement of the new Collection Manager, the Blackwell Library online product. Andrew has also been pivotal in moving Blackwell Book Services into new technology for the procurement of e-books and electronic content.