Springer Nature has announced the appointment of Harmen van Paradijs as Executive Vice President (EVP), Books, effective June 1, 2026.
Van Paradijs, who joined Springer Nature in 2005, brings extensive experience in academic and educational publishing across Europe and Asia. In his new role, he will oversee the publisher’s global books portfolio, recognized as the world’s largest academic books program. His responsibilities include strengthening the portfolio’s heritage, advancing digital‑first growth, and expanding the reach and impact of authors’ work.
Harsh Jagadeesan, Chief Publishing Officer at Springer Nature, stated that van Paradijs’s deep understanding of the books business and proven ability to translate strategy into action make him well suited to lead this part of the portfolio. Jagadeesan emphasized that the books program is central to supporting researchers, educators, and professionals worldwide, and highlighted ongoing investments in enhanced author services and responsible AI to improve publishing experiences and increase content visibility.
In 2025, Springer Nature published more than 14,500 books, contributing to over 1.6 billion chapter downloads. Growth was driven by partnerships with the research community and initiatives such as increasing visibility of open access content, advancing AI‑enabled discovery tools, and enhancing long‑form publishing formats.
Most recently, van Paradijs served as Vice President, STM Books Publishing & Books Business Optimization, where he contributed to shaping strategy, driving optimization initiatives, and supporting portfolio performance.
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