Grattan is a qualified Chartered Accountant with 17 years of retail experience. He fills the shoes of the respected Benjamin Trisk, who has largely been credited with revitalising not only the Exclusive Books brand, but South Africa's book-selling industry.
Trisk elected to leave the bookstore chain in April, with "a breakdown in the relationship among shareholders" credited as the reason. On his departure, Trisk stated that he reached an "amicable settlement" with the board and confirmed the company remained profitable.
Frank Boner, a board member, took over as acting CEO until Kirk's appointment.
"We look forward to working with Grattan and benefitting from his significant experience, leadership skills and business growth track record. We thank Frank Boner, who will remain on as CFO of the Group, for the invaluable role he has played as interim CEO over the last few months," stated the Board of Exclusive Books in a statement.
