Pan Macmillan signs the Publishers Association’s new Publishing Inclusion Pledge

This pledge is commitment to ensuring that the UK publishing sector remains a place where equity, inclusion, and belonging are not just ideals, but essential guiding principles. By signing, we reaffirm our dedication to fostering an environment where every voice - from our authors and illustrators to our colleagues across the globe - is respected, heard, and supported.

Why this matters

The Publishing Inclusion Pledge was born out of a year of deep collaboration throughout 2025, involving colleague groups, sector organisations, and publishers of all sizes. It serves as an evolved, actionable successor to the PA’s Inclusivity Action Plan, which has guided the industry since 2017.

At Pan Macmillan, we believe that diverse perspectives are our greatest strength. They allow us to discover stories that challenge, entertain, and reflect the true breadth of our society. This pledge provides a unified framework for us to:

• Take meaningful action to support inclusion in all its forms.
• Strive for fair opportunities across all levels of the business.
• Share challenges and successes transparently with our industry peers.

Jodie Williams, Head of DEI and Social Impact, Pan Macmillan said: 

'Signing this pledge isn't just about a public declaration; it’s about holding ourselves accountable to the work that still lies ahead. We have to be honest: as an industry, we still have a way to go to truly reflect the world we live in. However, I am incredibly energized to see the level of collective commitment across the sector. By standing together with the PA and our fellow publishers, we are turning intent into action. Inclusion continues to be a priority at Pan Macmillan and this pledge is a great step forward in that commitment, to keep pushing and challenging ourselves to be better.'

Dan Conway, CEO of the Publishers Association, highlighted the importance of this collective moment:

'Diverse perspectives bring us strength, and I am proud that the Publishers Association is leading this important work... Working together we will make progress and put ourselves in the best position to produce content that speaks to our readers and society.'

Echoing this sentiment, Josie Dobrin OBE, Chair of the PA’s Diversity Working Group, noted that the pledge is designed to be an 'accessible and effective way for organisations of any size to publicly declare their support for a more inclusive industry.'

‘Inclusion continues to be a priority at Pan Macmillan and this pledge is a great step forward in that commitment, to keep pushing and challenging ourselves to be better.’

— Jodie Williams, Head of DEI and Social Impact, Pan Macmillan

Our continued commitment

Joining fellow publishers like Bloomsbury, Hachette, and Penguin Random House, Pan Macmillan will utilise the new resources provided by the PA to implement further impactful change. We recognise that while progress has been made, the journey toward a truly inclusive industry is ongoing.

We look forward to working alongside the PA, the Independent Publishers Guild, and the Society of Authors to ensure that the future of publishing is as vibrant and diverse as the audiences we serve.