James Daunt | |
|---|---|
| Born | Achilles James Daunt (1963-10-18)18 October 1963 (age 62) |
| Education | Sherborne School |
| Alma mater | Pembroke College,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 DauntCBE (born 18 October 1963) is a British businessman. He is the founder of theDaunt Books chain, and since May 2011 has been managing director of the bookshop chainWaterstones. Since August 2019, Daunt has also been CEO ofBarnes & Noble, the American bookstore chain. He is known as "the man who saved Waterstones".[1][2]
Achilles James Daunt[3] was born on 18 October 1963,[4] the son of the diplomatSir Timothy Daunt and his wife Patricia Susan Knight.
He was educated atSherborne School, before reading history atPembroke College,Cambridge University.[5]
His first job was as a purser withCarnival Cruise Lines.[4]
After working in the US as a banker forJP Morgan between 1985 and 1988, he founded Daunt Books in 1990,[6] a chain of six bookshops in London.[2]
In May 2011, he was appointed managing director of Waterstones by the company's new owner, the Russian billionaireAlexander Mamut.[7] The pair were listed at fourth place in a 2011Guardian list of the top 100 people in the British books industry.[8]
Daunt was elected anHonorary Fellow of theRoyal Society of Literature in 2017.[9][10]
In June 2019, he became the CEO of the US bookshop chainBarnes & Noble,[11] acquired by Waterstones' parent,Elliott Advisors (UK) for $683m.[12][13]
In November 2021, Daunt interviewedSir Paul McCartney to discuss McCartney's bestselling book "The Lyrics: 1956 to the Present".[14]
Daunt was appointedCommander of the Order of the British Empire (CBE) in the2022 Birthday Honours for services to publishing.[15]
He is married to Katy Steward, a professional in the health sector. They have two daughters and live inHampstead;[16][17] they also have homes inSuffolk and on theIsle of Jura in Scotland.[18]
| Business positions | ||
|---|---|---|
| Preceded by | Managing Director of Waterstones May 2011 - | Succeeded by Incumbent |
