James Daunt
James Daunt Cambridge University | |
---|---|
Occupation(s) | Managing Director, Waterstones |
Known for | Founder, Daunt Books |
Spouse | Katy Steward |
Children | 2 daughters |
Parent(s) | Sir Timothy Daunt Patricia Susan Knight |
Relatives | Achilles Daunt (great-great grandfather) |
Achilles James Daunt
Early life and education
Achilles James Daunt[3] was born on 18 October 1963,[4] the son of the diplomat Sir Timothy Daunt and his wife Patricia Susan Knight.
He was educated at
Career
His first job was as a purser with
After working in the US as a banker for
In May 2011, he was appointed managing director of Waterstones by the company's new owner, the Russian billionaire Alexander Mamut.[7] The pair were listed at fourth place in a 2011 Guardian list of the top 100 people in the British books industry.[8]
Daunt was elected an
In June 2019, he became the CEO of the US bookshop chain Barnes & Noble,[11] acquired by Waterstones' parent, Elliott Advisors (UK) for $683m.[12]
Daunt was appointed
Personal life
He is married to Katy Steward, a professional in the health sector. They have two daughters, Molly and Eliza, and live in a 4-storey house in Hampstead.
References
- ^ "James Daunt: the man who saved Waterstones". Evening Standard. London. 10 December 2014. Retrieved 4 September 2019.
- ^ )
- ^ "Daunt Books Limited". Companies House. Retrieved 19 November 2015.
- ^ a b "Interview" by Oliver Shah in The Sunday Times Business Section, 22 December 2013, p. 6.
- ^ "Pembroke Gazette 2012" (PDF). Pembroke College. p. 120. Archived from the original (PDF) on 19 November 2015. Retrieved 19 November 2015.
- ^ Kate Kellaway, "James Daunt: 'I don't recognise that books are dead'", The Guardian, 3 June 2011.
- ^ James Hall, "James Daunt parachuted in to run Waterstone's", The Daily Telegraph, 20 May 2011.
- ^ Books Power 100: James Daunt and Alexander Mamut | No 4, The Guardian, 24 September 2011.
- ^ Natasha Onwuemezi, "Rankin, McDermid and Levy named new RSL fellows", The Bookseller, 7 June 2017.
- ^ "Current RSL Fellows". Royal Society of Literature. Retrieved 10 June 2017.
- New York Times, 7 June 2019.
- ^ "Elliott to buy Barnes & Noble; Daunt will run both chains | The Bookseller". thebookseller.com. Retrieved 4 September 2019.
- ^ "No. 63714". The London Gazette (Supplement). 1 June 2022. p. B9.
- ^ Eyre, Hermione (11 December 2014). "James Daunt: the man who saved Waterstones". Evening Standard. London. Retrieved 19 November 2015.
- ^ a b Anthony, Andrew (27 May 2012). "James Daunt: the bibliophile who means business". The Guardian. Retrieved 19 November 2015.