 |
|
| Tim Hely Hutchinson | |
Former Hachette U.K. CEO Tim Hely Hutchinson, who retired in 2017, was awarded the Légion d'Honneur for outstanding promotion of good Anglo-French relations and his "committed dissemination of international literature." The Bookseller reported that Hachette Livre CEO Arnaud Nourry presented the honor, "given to those who serve France's interests or enhance its prestige," at a ceremony in the Institut Français, South Kensington, last week.
"Tim became an unapologetic advocate for the French connection, and his enthusiasm infected his own board of directors," Nourry said in his speech. "With his help, Hachette Livre won hearts and minds at Hodder Headline. All it took to cement a friendly takeover was an offer WH Smith could not refuse. When I called Tim to let him know we had signed the contract, he was overjoyed. With that acquisition, it must be stressed that Hachette Livre, a French company that was founded in 1826, took its first major step towards becoming an international player, and a significant amount of the credit lies with Tim Hely Hutchinson."