Beleaguered pureplay online bookseller Booktopia has named two new non-executive directors, a move which should finally close the door on a tumultuous chapter in the company’s post-listing life. 

The new board members are Abigail Cheadle and Stephen Ezekiel who will join founders Tony Nash and Steve Traurig and recently-appointed chairman Peter George. 

They effectively replace outgoing chairman Chris Beare and directors Su-Ming Wong – who resigned in September – along with Fiona Pak-Poy and Judy Slatyer who stepped down at last month’s annual meeting. 

George said the new appointees will bring “extensive experience” as directors of ASX-listed companies to the Booktopia board and contribute “a diverse range of skills and expertise”. 

Cheadle is a chartered accountant, corporate strategist and risk management expert with more than 30 years of experience working across Asia, Europe, the Middle East, and Australia.

She has previously worked as a senior executive with leading advisory firms, including EY, Deloitte, and KordaMentha, and is now a professional company director, sitting on the boards of businesses across a range of different sectors, including a spell at online apparel retailer SurfStitch. 

George said Cheadle has “a long executive career helping companies reach their full potential”. 

Ezekiel, who has a career background in equity finance and lending, is the chairman and CEO of Hong Kong-based private credit firm Sammasan Capital and has more than 25 years of experience in leadership positions in the financial services, private equity and media/telecom sectors. He is an independent director of luxury crystal manufacturer Baccarat and is a director of private members club 70 North.

“Stephen will bring to Booktopia his vast knowledge of the finance sector and many years of board experience with companies in Australia and around the world, working closely with them to achieve their business objectives,” said George.