Random House Canada’s John Neale to Retire

By Lynn Andriani -- Publishers Weekly, 8/14/2008 8:55:00 AM

Publishing veteran John Neale will retire as chairman of Random House of Canada later this year. Neale has held the position since 1999, when Random House merged with Bantam Doubleday Dell. During his tenure at Random Canada, Neale developed a strong executive team, led by Brad Martin, whom Neale recruited in 1998 as sales and marketing director, and who assumed the role of president of Random House of Canada in 2006, and succeeded Neale in the role of CEO last year.

Neale began his publishing career in 1974 as a trade sales rep for McClelland & Stewart. He joined Bantam Doubleday Dell in 1984 as v-p, publishing division, responsible for Doubleday Canada. He later took over Doubleday Canada, Seal Books and Bantam Books Canada.

Former Random House chairman and CEO Peter Olson said, “Without John Neale, Random House of Canada would not be the publishing powerhouse it is today. His vision for the company he brought together has led Random House of Canada to outstanding fiscal results and literary preeminence.”

A private reception to celebrate Neale’s career with Random House of Canada will be held in Toronto on September 30.