Hachette Book Group Executive and Leadership Team

September, 2026

Leadership Overview

Hachette Book Group has 10 executives leading key functions including operations, finance, technology, marketing, and publishing strategy.

Committed to delivering high-quality literature to global audiences, Hachette Book Group maintains a robust publishing ecosystem that bridges the gap between physical print media and modern digital audio-book consumption.

Leadership Roles at Hachette Book Group

  • Executive Vice President & Chief Financial Officer - Stephen Mubarek
  • Chief Operating Officer - Beth Ford
  • Office of the President - Richard Neylan
  • President and Publisher, The Workman Running Press Group - Kristin Kiser
  • President and Publisher, the Basic Books Group - Lara Heimert
  • President, Publisher, Hachette Audio - Ana Allessi
  • President & Publisher - Benjamin Sevier
  • Senior Vice President, Chief Information Officer - Puneet Kukkal
  • Senior Vice President, Chief Marketing Officer - Leigh Marchant
  • Senior Vice President, Group Sales Director - Christopher Murphy
  • Stephen Mubarek - Executive Vice President & Chief Financial Officer

    Stephen Mubarek, the Executive Vice President & Chief Financial Officer at Hachette Book Group, manages all fiscal planning and capital allocation strategies. Overseeing the financial health of the organization, the Executive Vice President & Chief Financial Officer monitors revenue streams from both physical and audio-book segments. This leadership role involves conducting detailed risk assessments and ensuring compliance with international financial standards across all regional operations. By implementing robust budgeting frameworks, Stephen Mubarek directly impacts the long-term profitability and investment capacity of the firm. Mubarek coordinates with the Board to provide transparent reporting on market performance and asset utilization. Through the application of precise financial modeling, the Executive Vice President & Chief Financial Officer supports the strategic expansion of the publishing portfolio, ensuring that capital resources remain aligned with the core mission of delivering high-quality content to diverse readerships.
    Stephen Mubarek

    Beth Ford - Chief Operating Officer

    Beth Ford, the Chief Operating Officer at Hachette Book Group, directs all internal logistics and supply chain workflows. Overseeing the distribution of physical books across North American markets, the Chief Operating Officer ensures that inventory management aligns with seasonal demand cycles. This leadership role involves optimizing warehouse efficiency and streamlining the movement of titles from printing facilities to retail partners. By refining operational processes, Beth Ford directly impacts the company's ability to meet consumer needs in a fast-paced publishing environment. Ford maintains close collaboration with the executive team to ensure that operational capacity supports the broader growth objectives of the organization. Through rigorous oversight of fulfillment networks, the Chief Operating Officer secures the reliability of the supply chain, ultimately driving the operational excellence required to maintain a competitive edge in the media industry.

    Richard Neylan - Office of the President

    Richard Neylan, the Office of the President at Hachette Book Group, coordinates high-level administrative functions and strategic communication across the organization. Overseeing the alignment of executive priorities, the Office of the President facilitates seamless interaction between the leadership team and various publishing divisions. This leadership role involves managing corporate governance tasks and ensuring that the vision of the company remains consistent across all departments. By streamlining internal communications, Richard Neylan directly impacts the efficiency of decision-making processes at the highest level. Neylan supports the execution of long-term business goals by providing essential administrative oversight and resource coordination. Through the maintenance of organizational standards, the Office of the President ensures that the company operates with cohesion, ultimately fostering an environment where strategic initiatives can flourish and contribute to the overall success of the publishing house.

    Kristin Kiser - President and Publisher, The Workman Running Press Group

    Kristin Kiser, the President and Publisher, The Workman Running Press Group at Hachette Book Group, directs the editorial strategy and acquisition process for this specific imprint. Overseeing the development of unique physical books, the President and Publisher, The Workman Running Press Group ensures that every title meets the high standards of the brand. This leadership role involves identifying emerging literary talent and managing the creative lifecycle of each project. By curating a diverse and engaging catalog, Kristin Kiser directly impacts the market reputation and sales growth of the imprint. Kiser collaborates with production and marketing teams to bring innovative concepts to the retail market. Through the careful selection of manuscripts and the cultivation of author relationships, the President and Publisher, The Workman Running Press Group secures the continued relevance and commercial success of the imprint within the broader publishing portfolio.

    Lara Heimert - President and Publisher, the Basic Books Group

    Lara Heimert, the President and Publisher, the Basic Books Group at Hachette Book Group, leads the editorial direction and strategic growth of this specialized imprint. Overseeing the acquisition of non-fiction and academic titles, the President and Publisher, the Basic Books Group ensures that the catalog maintains intellectual rigor and broad appeal. This leadership role involves managing the editorial staff and guiding the development of manuscripts from concept to final publication. By fostering a culture of excellence, Lara Heimert directly impacts the prestige and market influence of the imprint. Heimert works closely with the sales and marketing departments to ensure that each title reaches its intended academic and general readership. Through the strategic curation of high-impact content, the President and Publisher, the Basic Books Group secures the long-term viability and authority of the imprint in the competitive publishing landscape.

    Ana Allessi - President, Publisher, Hachette Audio

    Ana Allessi, the President, Publisher, Hachette Audio at Hachette Book Group, directs the production and distribution of the company's audio-book catalog. Overseeing the recording process and the selection of voice talent, the President, Publisher, Hachette Audio ensures that every audio production delivers a premium listening experience. This leadership role involves navigating the rapidly expanding digital audio market and identifying opportunities for growth in new formats. By optimizing the production pipeline, Ana Allessi directly impacts the accessibility and popularity of the audio-book offerings. Allessi coordinates with digital platforms to ensure wide availability of the catalog to global listeners. Through the strategic expansion of the audio library, the President, Publisher, Hachette Audio secures a dominant position for the company in the audio-book sector, meeting the evolving needs of modern consumers who prefer auditory content.

    Benjamin Sevier - President & Publisher

    Benjamin Sevier, the President & Publisher at Hachette Book Group, oversees the overarching editorial vision and business performance of the publishing house. Directing the strategic acquisition of new titles, the President & Publisher ensures that the company maintains a balanced and profitable portfolio of physical and digital works. This leadership role involves managing relationships with key literary agents and authors while setting the tone for the creative culture of the organization. By aligning editorial goals with market demand, Benjamin Sevier directly impacts the growth and brand equity of the company. Sevier collaborates with other C-suite leaders to ensure that publishing activities support the broader corporate mission. Through the consistent delivery of high-quality literature, the President & Publisher secures the company's status as a leader in the publishing industry, driving long-term value for stakeholders and readers alike.
    Benjamin Sevier

    Puneet Kukkal - Senior Vice President, Chief Information Officer

    Puneet Kukkal, the Senior Vice President, Chief Information Officer at Hachette Book Group, architects the digital infrastructure supporting modern publishing workflows. Overseeing the integration of advanced data analytics and secure cloud systems, the Senior Vice President, Chief Information Officer ensures that internal teams possess the tools necessary for efficient content management. This leadership role involves protecting proprietary data and enhancing the digital delivery platforms for audio-book distribution. By modernizing the technological stack, Puneet Kukkal directly impacts the agility of the organization in responding to shifting consumer preferences. Kukkal collaborates with department heads to implement scalable software solutions that improve productivity across the enterprise. Through the continuous evaluation of emerging technologies, the Senior Vice President, Chief Information Officer maintains the integrity of the digital ecosystem, ensuring that the company remains at the forefront of the evolving media landscape.
    Puneet Kukkal

    Leigh Marchant - Senior Vice President, Chief Marketing Officer

    Leigh Marchant, the Senior Vice President, Chief Marketing Officer at Hachette Book Group, drives all brand positioning and consumer engagement initiatives. Overseeing the promotion of diverse titles across North American and international markets, the Senior Vice President, Chief Marketing Officer crafts campaigns that resonate with target demographics. This leadership role involves managing multi-channel advertising strategies and leveraging social media to increase the visibility of physical and audio-book products. By analyzing market trends, Leigh Marchant directly impacts the reach and sales performance of the publishing catalog. Marchant coordinates with editorial teams to ensure that marketing efforts accurately reflect the unique value proposition of each release. Through the execution of data-driven promotional tactics, the Senior Vice President, Chief Marketing Officer secures a strong market presence, ensuring that the company effectively connects authors with their intended audiences.

    Christopher Murphy - Senior Vice President, Group Sales Director

    Christopher Murphy, the Senior Vice President, Group Sales Director at Hachette Book Group, manages all revenue-generating relationships with retail partners and distributors. Overseeing the sales strategy for both physical and audio-book formats, the Senior Vice President, Group Sales Director ensures that titles achieve maximum placement in bookstores and digital storefronts. This leadership role involves negotiating contracts and analyzing sales data to identify opportunities for market expansion. By optimizing the sales funnel, Christopher Murphy directly impacts the financial performance and market share of the company. Murphy coordinates with the marketing and editorial teams to ensure that sales efforts are synchronized with promotional campaigns. Through the development of strong partnerships with retailers, the Senior Vice President, Group Sales Director secures the consistent distribution of the company's catalog, ensuring that products reach the widest possible audience across diverse geographic regions.

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    Frequently Asked Questions Regarding Hachette Book Group Top Executives and Leadership Team

    Who leads Hachette Book Group?
    Hachette Book Group is led by Stephen Mubarek (Executive Vice President & Chief Financial Officer), along with executives such as Beth Ford (Chief Operating Officer) and Richard Neylan (Office of the President).
    Who is part of Hachette Book Group’s executive team?
    The executive team of Hachette Book Group includes leaders such as Stephen Mubarek (Executive Vice President & Chief Financial Officer), Beth Ford (Chief Operating Officer), Richard Neylan (Office of the President) and other senior executives.
    How many executives does Hachette Book Group have?
    Hachette Book Group has 10 executives leading key business areas.
    What roles are included in Hachette Book Group’s leadership team?
    The leadership team of Hachette Book Group includes roles such as Executive Vice President & Chief Financial Officer, Chief Operating Officer, Office of the President, President and Publisher, The Workman Running Press Group, President and Publisher, the Basic Books Group.