Richardson to lead SPCK

It was announced in April that Sam Richardson, publisher in consumer learning at Hodder & Stoughton, is to be the new chief executive at The Society for Promoting Christian Knowledge (SPCK). Richardson took up his new role on 23rd June.

He previously led religious publishing at HarperCollins and succeeds Simon Kingston who retired at the end of 2013. Joanna Moriarty who was appointed interim Chief Executive earlier this year, in addition of her role as publisher, has now left SPCK after 28 years with the company, the last seven as Publishing Director.

John Pritchard, Bishop of Oxford and chair of SPCK’s trustees, said that Richardson “will be an excellent person to lead us through the fast-
paced changes affecting all book publishers at the moment.”

Richardson said: “In this fast-changing environment I think there are many exciting ways to develop SPCK’s work, and I’m looking forward to working with the team and thetrustees to make this happen.”

Commenting on her departure Moriarty said: “I am sad to leave SPCK, and I shall especially miss my fantastic team of colleagues, authors, and the many others who have been part of the life and success of SPCK. I am looking forward to the new challenges I will take on in the future.”