Senior promotions at Macmillan Children’s Books following chart success
Macmillan Children’s Books (MCB) has announced a series of promotions across its editorial and communications teams.
This follows a successful first half of the year for the publisher, which has seen its appearances in the Children's Pre-school & Picture Books chart double year-on-year.1
Notably, Macmillan Children’s Books (MCB) has secured over a third (36.8%) of all top ten spots in The Bookseller’s Children’s Pre-School & Picture Books charts over the past year. To build on this momentum, the publisher is making a series of promotions and creating two new roles to strengthen focus on building brands and maximising its backlist.
Editorial promotions
As part of MCB’s growth strategy, Chloe Pursey steps into an expanded role as publishing director. In addition to her current oversight of pre-school, brands, and classics, Pursey will now lead the Picture Books team. The newly refocused team is poised to become a creative force for 0–6 illustrated publishing, working with the most talented authors and illustrators, and growing trend-led and heritage brands with maximum consumer appeal.
Pursey will continue to report to publisher Fiona Macmillan. Pursey said: "I'm so thrilled and excited to be leading the Colour 0-6 years list for Macmillan Children's Books. From debut picture books to established brands, and from innovative board books to complex novelty, bringing our colour publishing together into one team gives us renewed focus and a clear strategy as we move forwards with ambitious plans to grow. I'm proud to work with such an incredible, inspiring team who are dedicated to publishing the very best books for every child."
In the Fiction and Non-Fiction editorial team, Cate Augustin is promoted to publishing director. She will continue publishing authors and illustrators with broad commercial appeal for readers aged six years plus, across Rocket Fox, First Ink and Macmillan Children’s Books, with a focus on growing the graphic novel and highly illustrated fiction list. She will continue to report to Eishar Brar, Fiction and Non-Fiction Publisher.
Augustin said: “It’s wonderful to be taking this next step at Macmillan Children’s Books and to be working in the best team in children’s publishing. The graphic novel market is rapidly expanding so to be focusing on reaching new readers through growing our bestselling list in this space is a hugely exciting opportunity.”
Molly Butler-Crewe has been promoted to senior editor, working on books authored by the UK’s no.1 bestselling author, Julia Donaldson. She joined Macmillan Children's Books in 2021 as an editorial assistant on the Brands and Classics lists and will continue to report to Publishing Director, Veronique Watt.
Butler-Crewe said: “I love working on books across a range of fun and accessible formats to encourage our youngest readers and am excited to continue to grow and develop in such a supportive team.”
‘Each of them brings creativity, passion, expertise and commercial insight to their work, alongside a deep understanding of how to connect children, young people and families with books they will enjoy. ’
— Alison Ruane - managing director, MCB
Communications promotions
In communications, Charlie Morris is promoted to senior marketing manager. In her expanded role, she will take on greater responsibility for recently-launched Rocket Fox non-fiction imprint and strategy, whilst continuing to play a leading role across First Ink and Two Hoots.
Morris said: “I am delighted to begin this new chapter as senior marketing manager, particularly leading the creative strategy for our brilliant new non-fiction imprint, Rocket Fox, and championing topics that truly matter to children today. It is a fantastic opportunity to further collaborate with our world-class authors and illustrators, as well as exploring growth across the audio market. Working across the full MCB list, I look forward to delivering high-impact, multi-channel campaigns that grow our established brands and launch the market-leading debuts of the future.”
Anna Read is promoted to senior publicity manager, reflecting her strength as a senior publicist and her expertise in delivering complex, multi-layered campaigns. In her new role, Anna will take on increased responsibility for major campaigns across fiction, non-fiction and colour publishing, alongside her role as MCB’s events lead.
Anna Read said: “I’m thrilled to be stepping up as senior publicity manager at Macmillan Children’s Books, working across fiction and non-fiction and colour publishing alongside taking on the role of events lead. I feel fortunate to be part of such a creative, committed and supportive comms team, and to have worked with so many talented authors and illustrators. I look forward to continuing to work with my brilliant publicity colleagues to deliver impactful media and event programmes.”
Read will continue to report to Clare Hall-Craggs, publicity director.
Alison Ruane, managing director, said: “I’m very pleased that Chloe, Cate, Charlie, Anna and Molly are being recognised through these well-deserved promotions. Each of them brings creativity, passion, expertise and commercial insight to their work, alongside a deep understanding of how to connect children, young people and families with books they will enjoy. In an increasingly crowded media landscape competing for children’s attention and time, that understanding is more important than ever. These appointments reflect both the depth of talent within Macmillan Children’s Books and our ambitious growth strategy across publishing and communications — from building market-leading brands to expanding into high-growth areas such as graphic novels. I’m excited to see them continue shaping the future of our lists and reaching even wider audiences in the years ahead.”
Following the promotions, Macmillan Children’s Books is creating two new roles - senior press officer and marketing executive - to strengthen focus on building brands and maximising backlist. They are recruiting for these roles currently (www.panmacmillan.com/careers)
1. 70 vs 35 yoy
