Three top-level executives leave as bookseller reorganises
Three senior executives are to leave Ottakar's today. The marketing director, head of exclusive product development and head of IT are all leaving.

Paul Henderson has quit as marketing director after more than 13 years at the retailer, following a reorganisation that sees the promotional buying task moved to the range department.

Also in the reorganisation was a review of product development, which has resulted in the departure of Graham Edmonds. Edmonds, who joined after 25 years at WHSmith, was tasked with setting up exclusive product programmes, including the Local Celebration series running in shops at the moment. He has left to pursue his publishing ambitions and writing career, the retailer said.

Finally, IT director Richard Wakeham is resigning, having held the post for two years. He joined the company in 2001.

The sudden departures of these three senior figures within the medium-sized retailer has prompted analysts to speculate whether the company will be put up for sale.

Seymour Pierce analyst Richard Ratner said: 'The company seems to be going through a period of turmoil not seen since the problems of too-rapid expansion some years back.'

Henderson will stay on in the company until a successor is found. Edmonds will leave at a date yet to be specified and Wakeham will leave the company at the end of this month.

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