James Daunt
| James Daunt | |
|---|---|
| Born |
Achilles James Daunt 18 October 1963 |
| Nationality | British |
| Education | Sherborne School |
| Alma mater | Pembroke College, Cambridge University |
| Occupation | managing director, Waterstones |
| Known for | founder, Daunt Books |
| Spouse(s) | Katy Steward |
| Children | Molly and Eliza |
| Parent(s) |
Sir Timothy Daunt Patricia Susan Knight |
| Relatives | Achilles Daunt (gg grandfather) |
Achilles James Daunt (born 18 October 1963) is a British businessman. He is the founder of the Daunt Books chain, and since May 2011 has been managing director of the book chain Waterstones.
Early life
Achilles James Daunt[1] was born on 18 October 1963,[2] the son of the diplomat Sir Timothy Daunt and his wife Patricia Susan Knight. He was educated at Sherborne School, before reading history at Pembroke College, Cambridge University.[3]
Career
His first job was as a purser with Carnival Cruise Lines.[2] After working in the US as a banker for JP Morgan, he founded Daunt Books,[4] a chain of six bookshops in London. In May 2011 he was appointed managing director of Waterstones by the company's new owner, the Russian billionaire Alexander Mamut.[5] The pair were listed at fourth place in a 2011 Guardian list of the top 100 people in the British books industry.[6]
Personal life
He is married to Katy Steward, a health professional, they have two daughters Molly and Eliza, and live in Hampstead.[7][8] They have a second house in Suffolk.[8]
References
- ↑ "Daunt Books Limited". Companies House. Retrieved 19 November 2015.
- 1 2 "Interview" by Oliver Shah in The Sunday Times Business Section, 22 December 2013, p. 6.
- ↑ "Pembroke Gazette 2012" (PDF). Pembroke College. Retrieved 19 November 2015.
- ↑ Kate Kellaway, James Daunt: 'I don't recognise that books are dead', The Guardian, 3 June 2011
- ↑ James Hall, James Daunt parachuted in to run Waterstone's, The Daily Telegraph, 20 May 2011.
- ↑ Books Power 100: James Daunt and Alexander Mamut | No 4, The Guardian, 24 September 2011
- ↑ Eyre, Hermione (11 December 2014). "James Daunt: the man who saved Waterstones". Evening Standard. Retrieved 19 November 2015.
- 1 2 Anthony, Andrew (27 May 2012). "James Daunt: the bibliophile who means business". The Guardian. Retrieved 19 November 2015.
| Business positions | ||
|---|---|---|
| Preceded by Dominic Myers |
Managing Director of Waterstones May 2011 - |
Succeeded by Incumbent |