Longtime U.K. publisher Richard Charkin has been named chair of the board of Thames & Hudson, effective January 1.
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| Richard Charkin at the launch party in London for My Back Pages. | |
Since 1972, Charkin has held senior executive positions at Oxford University Press (managing director, academic and general divisions), Reed International Books (CEO), Macmillan Publishers (CEO), Verlagsgruppe Georg von Holtzbrinck (executive director), and Bloomsbury Publishing (executive director for 11 years). He has also been chair of Mitchell Beazley, Conran Octopus, Pan Macmillan, Macmillan Australia, Bloomsbury Australia, Bloomsbury China's joint venture with China Youth Press, and at the Whitechapel Gallery.
He has his own publishing house, Mensch Publishing, and in 2023, he wrote a memoir, with Tom Campbell, My Back Pages: An Undeniably Personal History of Publishing, 1972-2022, published by Marble Hill Publishers. In the book, he demonstrated his witty and incisive perspectives on publishing. Last year he was awarded an OBE for his services to publishing and literature.
Thames & Hudson chair Johanna Neurath said, "We are very excited to welcome Richard as the new Chair of T&H Ltd--an important milestone in the company's history that reflects our commitment to innovation whilst remaining true to the values that have shaped us for generations. Richard's exceptional experience, infectious enthusiasm for publishing, and deep knowledge of the industry will help keep T&H stable and flourishing in years to come."
Charkin stated, "I feel immensely privileged to be joining the Thames & Hudson team. It will be a joy to work in a family-owned independent publisher with the highest standards of scholarship, design, integrity, and professionalism. The combination of brilliant books and brilliant publishing is irresistible."