HarperCollins Publishers is delighted to announce the appointment of Alex Hedley as its New Zealand Publisher, replacing Finlay Macdonald who departed recently for a role outside publishing.

Alex has been the General Non-fiction Publisher at Penguin Random House New Zealand for the last four years and is also a photographer and author in his own right.  He is the fourth generation of his family in the book trade.  His great grandfather William Hedley established Hedleys Booksellers in Masterton in 1907. Among the books that Alex has published are the bestselling Wilson sisters’ series, a range of top-line illustrated hardbacks, poignant sports autobiographies, heartland classics and some highly praised children’s non-fiction.

James Kellow, the CEO of HarperCollins Australia and New Zealand, says: “HarperCollins is totally committed to the New Zealand market. As befits our heritage as New Zealand’s oldest publisher, we want to provide New Zealand readers with quality Kiwi stories that reflect their lives, culture and experience. I’m delighted we have someone of Alex’s calibre joining our dynamic team to build on Finlay’s excellent foundations.”

Shona Martyn, HarperCollins Publishing Director for Australia and New Zealand says: “I am thrilled that Alex is joining HarperCollins. His experience, creativity and drive sees him well placed to further develop the quality New Zealand publishing list we have established over recent years. We have a firm vision for our future publishing and Alex is perfectly poised to execute this.”

Alex Hedley says:  “I am incredibly excited about joining the New Zealand division of a publisher I admire very much. I stand committed to quality New Zealand publishing and look forward to working with HarperCollins’ impressive stable of current authors. Equally, I relish this new opportunity to build on New Zealand’s rich history of book publishing with fresh and creative new projects.”

Alex will start at HarperCollins New Zealand on Monday October 3.