Pan Macmillan CEO Joanna Prior awarded OBE in King’s New Year Honours List

The honour recognises Joanna Prior’s long-standing contribution to the UK publishing industry and her advocacy for literacy and access to books and reading for all. The announcement comes at a key moment, ahead of the start of the National Year of Reading in 2026, which Prior is helping to champion in her capacity as Chair of the National Literacy Trust.

Joanna Prior joined Pan Macmillan as CEO in April 2022, after twenty-three years at Penguin, thirteen as Managing Director of Penguin General Books. Across a career spanning more than three decades, she has played a significant leadership role in shaping the modern UK publishing landscape, combining commercial success with a deep commitment to social impact.

During her years in publishing, Prior has held a number of influential industry positions. She has served as President of The Publishers Association, as well as Chair of the Consumer Publishing Council. She was Chair of World Book Day in 2012 and spent a decade on the board of the Women’s Prize, including six years as Chair, expanding the Prize’s cultural reach as well as leading it to become a charity to support and champion women’s writing.

Prior is known as a passionate advocate for authors and illustrators, and for placing creative talent at the heart of everything she does. Her career has been driven by the belief that stories matter — and that access to books can be transformative. She has consistently championed investment in long-term author careers, across the spectrum of genres, age ranges and subject matter.  She has worked on some of the industry’s best sellers; with top children’s authors and illustrators and laureates as well as major prize winners. She has overseen industry-leading campaigns and delivered international success, with 2024 being a record-breaking year for Pan Macmillan in the UK and overseas. 

During her two decades at Penguin, Prior spearheaded partnerships with libraries, schools and charities, strengthening the connection between publishing and the public sphere, and reinforcing the role of books and reading in education and community life. 

Since joining Pan Macmillan as CEO, Prior has continued this focus, leading the company with a strong emphasis on representation and social impact. Under her leadership, Pan Macmillan has supported the growth of the Black British Book Festival as headline sponsor and recently announced a new community led publishing collaboration with the festival, deepening its commitment to discovering and supporting underrepresented talent.

Internally, Prior has nurtured a mission-led culture rooted in collaboration, curiosity and opportunity and prioritised progressive people policies for wellbeing and diversity, equity and inclusion, supporting Pan Macmillan’s employee networks and volunteering programmes . In 2025 Pan Macmillan was the winner of the Working Families “Best for Mothers” award, with the judges commending its exceptional support in recognising the diverse needs of each stage of motherhood.

Prior is a strong advocate for publishing as a “team sport” — one built on shared purpose across editorial, marketing, publicity, design, sales, operations and beyond.

In recognition of her wider contribution to literature and culture, Prior is also an Honorary Fellow of Pembroke College, Cambridge.

Joanna Prior said:

“Authors and illustrators have always been the heartbeat of my career. Everything I have done in publishing has been driven by a simple goal:  to champion their creativity and bring their stories and ideas to the widest audience possible.

“Books have shaped how I see the world, and I want everyone - regardless of background or circumstances - to experience the joy that can be found within their pages.

“The publishing industry continues to thrive because of the committed, curious and generous people who work within it, and it is a great privilege to work alongside colleagues and friends who inspire me every day. I continue to learn constantly — about the world, about other people, about how to grow a sustainable business and find new readers  — and I feel deeply fortunate to have a job that is so endlessly absorbing and rewarding.”

For enquiries, please contact Lois Bray, Corporate Communications Director: lois.bray@macmillan.com