Bookseller Blackwell’s has made a new appointment after axeing its chief executive earlier this year.

The Oxford-based firm has brought in Diane Kerr as managing director of its library supply division.

It follows the departure of chief executive Andrew Hutchings, who was made redundant in April.

Mr Hutchings stayed on temporarily to oversee the restructuring of the library supply division but the process has now been completed.

He will leave the company next month after overseeing the handover to Ms Kerr, formerly managing director of Northamptonshire-based Dawson Books. She has more than 30 years experience in the book industry.

Blackwell’s chairman Trevor Goul-Wheeker said: “Diane has the most extensive knowledge of academic library supply and we welcome the breadth of skills she will bring to the company at board level.”

The restructuring has been the result of a drive to put the company into “local ownership”, with individual Blackwell’s bookshops able to run more of their their own business.

The 123-year-old firm will create dedicated business units for its bookshops and library supply operations.

This has already led to 25 job losses, with back office staff leaving Beaver House in Hythe Bridge Street.

The company says no further redundancies are expected.

About 125 workers are now split between a new office in Cowley and the bookseller’s main shop in Broad Street.