NEW YORK: Nihar Malaviya has officially been named the CEO of Penguin Random House (PRH), marking the culmination of a transition that began following the departure of Markus Dohle at the close of 2022.
Bertelsmann, the parent company of PRH, has removed the interim designation from Nihar Malaviya, who had been serving as the interim CEO for PRH’s global operations. This move confirms what had been widely anticipated within the publishing world.
Thomas Rabe, Chairman and CEO of Bertelsmann, expressed his confidence in Malaviya, stating, “Nihar Malaviya is the right leader for PRH at the right time.” Rabe commended Malaviya for his strategic vision, saying, “As interim CEO, he has set an important strategic course, transforming the structures at Penguin Random House to foster creativity and entrepreneurship among the publishers and publishing groups.”
PRH’s largest division, its US branch, has undergone significant changes under Malaviya’s leadership. Earlier this year, he initiated a restructuring effort that saw the division split the Random House Publishing Group into two distinct groups, with the recreation of the Crown Publishing Group. Additionally, a management group was established to oversee PRH US, eliminating the need for a new CEO following the departure of Madeline McIntosh.
Malaviya, who initially joined Random House in 2003, ascended to the role of President and Chief Operating Officer of PRH in 2014. During his tenure, he spearheaded the development of various industry-first capabilities, including advancements in data science, supply chain management, technology, and consumer insights.