News Roundup: The Goodbyes, Hellos and Opportunities Edition

IVP: Goodbye Brian, hello Steve

IN TWO SUCCESSIVE press releases issued this week, IVP have announced the departure of their longstanding CEO Brian Wilson and the appointment of Steve Apted on an interim basis “to review all aspects of the business, focusing on how to best to improve customer service, fill rates, and other distribution processes.”

Commenting on Brian’s departure, David Vardy, Chair of the IVP (UK) Board said:

Brian has served the company faithfully for over 20 years and the impact of his service to this ministry will always be a significant part of the history of IVP. He has been loyal, dedicated and established a fantastic team which has produced some of the most widely read Christian books in the UK in the twentieth century. Our key aim now is to continue to build on the strong foundations he has established and to ensure the ministry of IVP continues to make a worldwide impact for the Gospel.

Brian himself spoke in glowing terms of the authors, publishers, customers and colleagues he has worked with over those 20 years:

I would like to thank IVP’s outstanding authors for allowing me to share with you in this exciting literature ministry serving God’s mission through His worldwide church. I have valued enormously partnering together with so many influential international publishers in helping to extend your ministry in the UK and around the world. It has also been such a wonderful encouragement to team up with so many committed and innovative customers sharing together in this still vital mission.

I do thank my magnificent, dedicated and enthusiastic staff colleagues at IVP; it has been one of the greatest delights of my life to serve alongside you. It is because of you I can leave behind a ministry that is now trading profitably and ahead of budget even after the massive upheaval and changes that we and this industry have experienced together over recent years.

Steve Apted expressed a sense of honour at being invited to work with IVP:

I feel honoured to have been asked by David Vardy and the IVP board to assist them in developing the future strategy of the ministry over the coming months. I look forward to getting to know the IVP team, suppliers and customers and working closely with them in the next phase of the organisation’s development.

I take this opportunity to express my personal thanks and appreciation to Brian for all that he has achieved in his time with IVP:  the entire trade has faced some major upheavals but under Brian’s leadership IVP have weathered the storms and I think it’s true to say that he leaves the company stronger than he found it. Steve, you have a hard act to follow and — echoing your own words — I look forward to seeing what emerges as a result of your input towards the next phase of the company’s development. May each of you know the Lord’s blessing and guidance.

IVP Press Releases

• 2nd Feb 2015: Departure of CEO Brian Wilson
• 4th Feb 2015: Appointment of Steve Apted

Milton Keynes: Goodbye St Andrew’s, hello MK Christian Books

Stantonbury Ecumenical Partnership: St Andrews Bookshop to close

SAD NEWS has emerged from St Andrew’s Bookshops as their Wolverton branch prepares to close down at the end of this month — but all is not lost for Christian book lovers in the area as a new independent, Milton Keynes Christian Books (aka MK Christian Books), prepares to open just two miles down the road in Stony Stratford.

The St Andrew’s closure announcement appears on the Stantonbury Ecumenical Partnership website, citing the end of the shop’s 25 year lease and stating that “it is no longer financially viable for it to continue with a commercial lease.” A 25% discount stock clearance sale is now underway.

The new venture, being launched by Derek and Jane Sparrow, will be located at the Chapel Annexe, 13a Wolverton Road, Stony Stratford, and will carry a range of both new and secondhand Christian books, opening 11am – 5pm four days per week, Wednesday to Saturday, as from Wednesday 18th March.

• UKCBD Entry: Milton Keynes Christian Books

Under the Rainbow – under new ownership!

Minehead: Goodbye Martin & Pauline, hello Simon & Catherine

IT’S GOOD NEWS for Martin and Pauline Spink of Under the Rainbow, Minehead, who can at last take their long overdue retirement as new owners Simon and Catherine Pratt prepare to take over. The shop is currently closed for redecorating and a refit, scheduled to reopen at 9.30am on Friday, 20th February with the following invitation posted on their home page:

Please come to enjoy some homemade cake, see what is new and celebrate the start of the next phase of God’s ministry through ‘Under the Rainbow’.

If you’re in the area, pop along and cheer them on, enjoy the cake and spread the good news!

ScrollEaters: Christian books and gifts online

Online Only: Hello ScrollEaters

A WARM UKCBD WELCOME to another new kid on the block: ScrollEaters of Bisley, Gloucestershire. Although they’re operating online only to start with, the vision is to open a B&M (Bricks & Mortar) store complete with café in due course; and starting life in a milking parlour must surely be auspicious for a Christian business!

Want to help make the B&M store vision a reality? Read all about it and make a donation at gofundme.com/scrolleaters

Discover more…
facebook.com/scrolleaters
Follow @scrolleaters

Vacancies Roundup

THERE ARE SEVERAL job opportunities in the trade at the moment but as noted above, all have deadlines this month or early March so move fast if you’re interested:

1. CLC London require a deputy manager: details via their Current Vacancies page, CLC London – Bookshop Deputy Manager, Full Time Vacancy – application deadline Tuesday 17th February 2015.

2. 10ofThose require a full time (2 years fixed contract) Ministry Development Representative: details on their We’re Hiring page – application deadline Monday 2nd March 2015.

3. Cornerstone Skipton require a part time (9 hours per week initially, building to 12) Resources Room Manager: details via the Diocese of West Yorkshire & the Dales vacancies section – application deadline Monday 23rd February 2015.

Wildcard: I Am They

SAY HELLO to the debut single from I Am They:

H/T Lawrie Stenhouse