NEWS

Springer Nature appoints new Executive Vice President, Books

Harmen van Paradijs will have responsibility for
driving forward the publisher’s world leading books portfolio

Springer Nature today announces the appointment of Harmen van Paradijs as Executive Vice President (EVP), Books, effective 1 June 2026.

Harmen has been with Springer Nature since 2005 and brings a wealth of experience in academic and educational publishing across Europe and Asia. In his new role, he will lead the world’s largest academic books programme, building on the strength of the portfolio’s heritage and its digital-first growth to continue delivering meaningful value for authors, expanding the reach, visibility, and real-world impact of their work.

Harsh Jagadeesan, Chief Publishing Officer, Springer Nature, said:

“Harmen’s deep understanding of our books business, combined with his proven track record of translating strategy into action, make him ideally placed to lead this important part of our portfolio. Our books programme is a core part of how we support researchers, educators and professionals globally — helping them create, discover and use knowledge in ways that drive progress.

“As the needs of authors and readers continue to evolve, we are investing in new approaches — from enhanced author services to the responsible use of AI — to improve the publishing experience and increase the reach and impact of our content. Harmen’s leadership will be key to building on this strong foundation and continuing to grow our books business.”

In 2025, Springer Nature published over 14,500 books, contributing to more than 1.6-billion-chapter downloads of all book content across the year. This continued growth, driven by close partnership with the research community, reflects an ongoing commitment to evolving the portfolio to better support and provide value for authors and editors reflected in:

• Increasing the visibility of their research worldwide (30+% increase in downloads of OA book content)
• Advancing new approaches to content discovery via the responsible use of AI within researcher workflows
• Enhancing long form publishing formats to expand access and readership

Harmen van Paradijs, Executive Vice President, Books, Springer Nature, added:

“I am honoured to take on this role and to lead our Books Group at such an important time in publishing evolution. Springer Nature has a long-standing reputation for excellence in academic publishing, and our books programme plays a vital role in supporting research, education, and professional communities worldwide.”

“We have strong foundations to build on, and I look forward to working with colleagues across the business to continue to deliver for our authors and editors, and publish high-quality, trusted content at global scale.”

Most recently, Harmen served as Vice President, STM Books Publishing & Books Business Optimisation, where he played a key role in shaping the Books strategy, driving business optimisation initiatives, and supporting the continued performance and development of the portfolio.

https://www.springernature.com/gp/products/books