Penguin Random House, the world’s largest trade book publisher, has made an official announcement appointing Nihar Malaviya as the permanent CEO. Malaviya, an experienced figure in the publishing industry, had been serving as the interim CEO since January 1, 2023, and held the positions of president and chief operating officer since 2014.
Thomas Rabe, Chairman & CEO of Bertelsmann, expressed strong confidence in Malaviya’s leadership, affirming that he is the right leader for Penguin Random House at this critical juncture. Rabe acknowledged Malaviya’s accomplishments during his nine-month tenure as interim CEO and expressed his delight in Malaviya assuming permanent responsibility for the company. Rabe emphasized that under Malaviya’s interim leadership, significant strategic changes were implemented, particularly in restructuring Penguin Random House to facilitate more creative and entrepreneurial collaboration among its publishers and publishing groups. Rabe anticipates Malaviya’s continued vigorous development of the group and looks forward to their collaboration as CEO of Penguin Random House.
Malaviya’s professional journey in the publishing industry reflects a commitment to innovation and strategies aimed at expanding the reach of the company’s authors across diverse formats and platforms. During his tenure, he introduced pioneering initiatives, including advancements in data science, supply chain management, technology, and consumer insights.
Furthermore, Malaviya holds a position on Bertelsmann’s Group Management Committee (GMC), a select group of executives providing counsel to the Group’s Executive Board. His association with Bertelsmann commenced in 2001 when he joined the Bertelsmann Entrepreneurs Program. Subsequently, in 2003, he transitioned to Random House within the group, embarking on a steady ascent through various leadership roles. His educational background comprises an MBA in Finance and Marketing from the NYU Stern School of Business and a Bachelor of Science in Computer Science. Beyond his role at Penguin Random House, he serves on the board of directors of the Association of American Publishers and Yale University Press.
