THE great grandson of the founder of Oxford's giant book firm Blackwell is to take over as group chief executive.

Philip Blackwell, 41, son of former chief executive Julian Blackwell, is to start in the New Year.

An expert in electronic commerce, he has already been a founder director of two publicly quoted internet companies: the Internet Bookshop - bookshop.co.uk - now sold to WH Smith, and IMVS.co.

He will succeed Anthony Thompson, who took the job last year as boss of a family business employing 3,000 worldwide. He was headhunted to be vice-president of American retailers The Gap.

Mr Blackwell is currently director of customer relationship management and e-business at IT and management consultancy firm Cap Gemini.

He said: "I am excited and proud at being asked to lead a company my great-grandfather founded in Oxford 120 years ago."

Story date: Wednesday 24 November

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