About Us

Everything you need to know about Book Distribution

Hachette UK Distribution is part of the Hachette UK publishing group. Historically, we had Two distribution centres, LBS and Bookpoint, and these were joined by the new Hely Hutchinson Centre (HHC) which opened on 20th August 2018. HHC is one of the most advanced distribution centres in Europe, with leading-edge automation and modern systems which will ensure world-class service to customers and publisher clients. It will ultimately become Hachette UK’s sole distribution centre and the publishers currently served by LBS and Bookpoint will migrate to it as part of a managed transition between 2018 and 2020. Hachette provides comprehensive distribution services to over 45 publishers, many of which are third party clients from outside the Hachette UK group. We ship in excess of 60 million books globally each year and supply one out of every four books to the UK trade.

MEET THE TEAM

Matt Wright
CEO Hachette UK Distribution
I have been with Hachette since 1999 working in various publishing finance roles. I became Managing Director of Hachette UK Distribution in 2011 and the business has gone from strength to strength in that time. First and foremost Hachette is a people business and that applies equally to Hachette UK Distribution. In fact our whole offer is based upon effectively managing relationships between publishers, customers, and staff. Those conversations are what make the job fun. Of course my life is made a lot easier by having such a great team around me, but I’ll let them tell you that…
Jo Westbrook
COO Hachette UK Distribution
I joined Hachette in 2014 having previously spent 10 years in senior supply chain and commercial roles in Entertainment, Food and Drink and Books.
Ray Webb
Client Development Manager
I joined Hachette in 2010 having previously worked at both Macmillan and Penguin and have now been in the industry for over 30 years. My background is very much Customer services with a strong emphasis on Client relations. My long experience of distribution led to the publication of my book ‘the Book Distribution Handbook’ in the mid 1990’s, although I’d have to say the Industry has come a long way since then. My role is to work alongside our publishers and our senior management team helping our clients to translate their strategies into practice and to facilitate change.
James Linney
Finance Director Hachette UK Distribution
I joined Hachette in 2006 after qualifying as a Chartered Accountant in an accounts practice based in Reading. Due to the exciting and acquisitive nature of Hachette I have had a number of opportunities within the company and have been the Group Financial Controller and Director of Accounting Services within the Group Finance function. Becoming the Finance Director of Hachette UK Distribution in 2018 was another exciting opportunity with the changing business structure of building a new modern automated warehouse and implementing SAP for our sales order processes. Hachette has been a great company to work for and the people have been some of the friendliest and most passionate I have ever encountered.
Jon Swan
Head of Credit Services
I am a fellow of the Chartered Institute of Credit Management and regularly lecture at Credit forums across Europe. I head the Hachette Credit Services team. I have over 30 years’ experience in credit management and have held senior positions at several major companies in an international capacity as well as running my own credit management consultancy and training company.

Latest news

JOBS / CAREERS

We are rapidly growing and expanding our service and distribution business, which means you can look forward to a secure and rewarding future in an increasingly successful company aiming to be the best in the business.   At Hachette UK Distribution we truly believe our employees are key to this success by providing a first class service to our customers and clients.

WHY JOIN US?

 We offer competitive salaries, rewards and benefits in addition to comprehensive induction, training and development programmes.  This includes apprenticeships in our admin and operational departments.

 Benefits Include:

  • Holidays commencing at 25 days p.a. plus bank holidays
  • Static shift patterns available
  • Group Company Pension Plans, sick pay and life assurance schemes
  • Free car parking/tea and coffee
  • Full training and development – with opportunities to progress
  • Hachette Rewards – offering discounted shopping or cash back from over 900 national retailers including high street brands, supermarkets, internet retailers and travel/hotel operators
  • Generous staff discount on books we publish
  • Childcare vouchers and cycle to work schemes
  • Social club and company events programme. Recent events include summer and Christmas parties, fish and chip day, quiz nights, annual employee awards ceremony, charity and sporting events and more…

COME AND JOIN US!

Inventory Controller/Graduate Inventory Controller – We are seeking either an Inventory Controller with a proven experience of inventory management in an automated warehouse environment, a track record of implementing new ways of working and setting up systems to improve inventory integrity, highly collaborative, able to work well with all levels within an organisation and experience of managing a broad range of title with volatile demand patterns or a Graduate Inventory Controller who would relish the opportunity to develop their skills with Hachette UK Distribution. If you have a strong customer focus both internally and externally, an ethos of quality excellence and continuous improvement, excellent analytical skills, motivational with strong communication skills and the ability to influence others and deliver improvements then we would like to hear from you.

This role closes to applications on Sunday 13th January 2019.

Credit Risk Manager – This is an exciting opportunity for someone wishing to combine their extensive knowledge of Commercial Risk Analysis with client management skills within the publishing sector. The ideal candidate will have demonstrable knowledge of Risk products, good organisational skills, experience of working in Commercial Trade Credit Risk will ideally be CICM qualified or working towards achievement. In addition we need the ideal candidate to have excellent communications skills, written, verbal and face to face and be able to listen and respond to clients’ needs.

This role closes to applications on Sunday 13th January 2019.

Director of Operations –  This role is a one-off opportunity within Hachette UK Distribution to lead Operations through the journey from early start up to full consolidation of the existing operations teams. The department will grow from its current size to between 150 and 200 people as first we consolidate, and then expand significantly by winning more publisher clients. The successful candidate will be a strong leader with proven operational and client management skills. They will need to become highly visible in the business, with the ability to run expansion projects and think strategically. A high degree of empathy and first-class communication skills are essential, as is the character to inspire both the business and our clients. This role will be an integral part of the senior management team.

This role closes to applications on Sunday 20th January 2019.

Director of Customer Services –  This role is a one-off opportunity within Hachette UK Distribution to lead Customer Services through the journey from early start up to full consolidation of the existing customer services teams. The department will grow from its current size to over 100 people as first we consolidate, and then expand significantly by winning more publisher clients. The successful candidate will be a strong leader with proven customer services and client management skills. They will need to become highly visible in the business, with the ability to run expansion projects and think strategically. A high degree of empathy and first-class communication skills are essential, as is the character to inspire both the business and our clients. This role will be an integral part of the senior management team.

This role closes to applications on Sunday 20th January 2019.

Interested? Send us your CV or completed Application Form stating the role you wish to apply for to hukd.resourcing@hachette.co.uk

Contact Us

Hachette UK Distribution

Hely Hutchinson Centre
Milton Road
Didcot
Oxfordshire
OX11 7HH

Telephone:

+44 (0)1235 759500


Customer Services Telephone Number:

+44 (0)1235 759555


Goods In Telephone Number and Email Address:

+44 (0)1235 759720
hukdgoodsin@hachette.co.uk


By Road:

M40 Travelling South - Exit at JUNCTION 9
(A34 Southbound)
Head southbound on A34 towards Newbury for Approx. 23 miles. Ignore Abingdon North and South Exits.
Take the Didcot/Milton Interchange exit off the A34 and drive in the middle lane off the slip road. This road will lead you towards Didcot and past the Courtyard (Marriot) to your left. Proceed straight on at the traffic lights and at roundabout take first exit, then next roundabout first exit sign posted Milton Park. The rail line will be on your left, and at the next set of traffic lights turn right and you’ll see Hachette UK Distribution on your right-hand side clearly sign posted.


M40 Travelling North - Exit at JUNCTION 8
Head on A40 for 5 miles and then turn off onto A4142 south for 4 miles.
Take the A34 southbound (as detailed above).


M4 - Exit at JUNCTION 13
(A34 Northbound)
Head northbound on A34 to Oxford for approx.10 miles. Didcot Power Station (with three giant cooling towers) will be ahead on your right-hand side.
Take the Didcot/Milton Interchange exit off the A34 and follow signs for Didcot. Proceed straight on through traffic lights and at roundabout take first exit, then next roundabout exit at first exit sign posted Milton Park. The rail line will be on your left, at the next set of traffic lights turn right and you’ll see Hachette UK Distribution on your right-hand side clearly sign posted.


Google Maps


By Rail

If travelling by train you will need to go to Didcot Parkway station. Didcot Parkway's railway station is easily accessed using Milton Park's free shuttle bus and provides frequent and fast rail connections to many destinations, including direct services to:
London Paddington - 42 minutes
Oxford - 12 minutes
Reading - 13 minutes
Bristol - 43 minutes


Shuttle Bus

A dedicated shuttle bus runs between Milton Park and Didcot Parkway train station at peak hours. There is a £2 charge for a single trip and a £3 for a return.
A number of local bus services run throughout the Park and information of these services can be found at: www.thames-travel.co.uk. From Milton Park, you’ll need to walk to our site. The nearest bus stop is at ‘Sutton Courtney Road Roundabout’ leaving an 8 minute walk to the centre (see Google Maps.
There is also a taxi rank outside the station entrance. Hachette UK Distribution is located approximately 2 miles from Didcot Station.


On arrival to the site, please drive pass the security gatehouse to your left, through the large double gates and around the side of the building into the main car park. Reception is located to the far end of the car park and clearly signposted. Please report to reception on arrival.