Meet the Macmillan Business team

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  Publisher

  Mike Harpley

  I lead our new Macmillan Business imprint and also publish broadly across Pan Non-fiction. 

  In Macmillan Business, I am seeking expert thinkers at the top of their field and trusted voices who command large audiences. The books can be narrative or more prescriptive, but what matters is that they are exciting, smart, important and genuinely useful. My authors on the list include Bent Flyvbjerg, world expert on project management; Melonie Parker, Chief Diversity Officer at Google; and Matt Abrahams, host of the hit global podcast Think Fast, Talk Smart.

  In the Pan non-fiction list, I am drawn to thought-leaders and engaging titles that present new ideas about the world around us, irrespective of subject matter. I am also a sucker for a good story, including by leading figures in sport. Some of my authors, past and present include: Jacinda Ardern, Angela Merkel, Robin Ince, Isabel Hardman, John Kampfner, Chris Kamara, Martin O’Neill, Nicola Sturgeon, Alice Loxton and Mensun Bound. 

  I love working closely with authors to develop their ideas into books and publishing bestsellers with both prominent names and debut authors who have something vital to say.

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  Senior Commissioning Editor

  Kate Walsh

  I joined Pan Macmillan in April 2025 as a Senior Commissioning Editor, working across our general non-fiction publishing with a particular focus on the Macmillan Business list.

  For the Business list, I’m looking for books that equip, challenge and inspire – from practical guides by trusted voices to narrative-led explorations of the systems, people and power structures shaping the world. I’m especially drawn to fresh takes on universal topics, whether through an unexpected lens or a voice we haven’t heard enough from. Alongside acquiring, I’m also developing ideas in-house, always seeking smart, accessible ways to reach readers who are curious about how things work and how they could work better.

  Before joining Pan, I was a literary agent at United Agents, working across a spectrum of commercial non-fiction. My list was broad, but always guided by strong ideas and clear purpose. I was fortunate to work on bestselling and high-profile projects including Brief Answers to the Big Questions by Professor Stephen Hawking, A Life on Our Planet by Sir David Attenborough, This Much is True by Miriam Margolyes, Fluid by Harris Reed and Scream Queen by Yvette Fielding. My general non-fiction tastes are varied, but commercially-driven.

  Across both Business and general non-fiction, I’m drawn to narratively driven, human-centred books with a wide commercial reach – the kind of stories that stay with readers long after they’ve finished the book.

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  Commissioning Editor

  Ríbh Brownlee

  As an editor, I am passionately building a compelling list of conversation-starting, bestselling non-fiction across our general non-fiction and Macmillan Business imprints. Beyond my own acquisitions, I have also had the privilege of working with Mike Harpley on titles by esteemed figures such as Angela Merkel, Jacinda Ardern, Nicola Sturgeon, Sarah Wynn-Williams and Alice Loxton.

  My commissioning interests are broad. Within general non-fiction, I'm particularly drawn to politics & current affairs, compelling memoirs, history, popular science, nature and ambitious ‘big ideas’ books. For the Macmillan Business list, I seek out more cerebral, narrative-led titles that offer fresh insights into the professional world. In every project, I seek out exceptional writing and a captivating story, with a particular eye for books that profoundly enhance the reader's understanding of the world.

  A key part of my vision is to diversify our non-fiction offering, with a specific focus on underrepresented voices and feminism. I am particularly dedicated to nurturing new talent and guiding debut authors through the publishing process, helping them to shape their manuscripts into powerful, market-ready books.

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  Editorial Assistant

  Neeharika Nene

  I joined Pan Macmillan in 2025 and I assist across our Pan Non-fiction and Macmillan Business lists. I've been lucky enough to work with Mike Harpley, Kate Walsh and Ríbh Brownlee on their incredible authors, including Nicola Sturgeon, Sir Tim Berners-Lee, Alice Loxton and Robin Ince. 
  
  I'm drawn to a broad range of books, from inspiring memoirs and practical self-help guides to thrilling narrative non-fiction. Whether I'm reading for work or on holiday, I'm excited by anything that tries to transform how we engage with the world around us, with a compelling story at heart. I'm particularly eager to spotlight diverse voices and find authors who can develop fresh, original ideas in politics, business, history and pop philosophy.