Following the news that after 27 years leading the Hardie Grant publishing business, Group MD Julie Pinkham will be stepping away, we are delighted to announce a new leadership team for our proudly Australian owned, independent publishing business.
From January 1, 2025, Roxy Ryan, Julia Kumschick and Kate Brown will share the responsibility of leading Hardie Grant Publishing. All three started their publishing careers at Hardie Grant and have taken increased responsibilities as the business has grown.
Hardie Grant Publishing, including Hardie Grant Books, Hardie Grant Explore, Ultimo Press, Pantera Press and Hardie Grant North America will be led by Roxy Ryan as Managing Director, HGP.
Hardie Grant Children’s Publishing will be led by Kate Brown as Managing Director HGCP. This includes Hardie Grant Children’s Publishing, Bright Light, Little Hare, and Figment, along with licenced brands partners such as Disney, Thomas the Tank Engine, Lego, and imports distribution partners.
Both Kate and Roxy will continue to champion and guide our publishing to be world-class, building our global reputation for creativity, excellence and innovation through a bold approach to formats, commissioning, and author partnerships.
Julia Kumschick will take on the new role of Managing Director, Commercial. This role comprises the full breadth of the publishing services including her current remit of Sales, Marketing and Communication, with the addition of Finance, Digital Product, and Operations.
Together, Roxy, Kate and Julia will continue to enact the strategy they were instrumental in building; to foster our core while moving beyond our existing capabilities and focus on rapid growth in the North American market, to exploit the program of IP we licence beyond traditional book formats, to grow and to strengthen HGP’s brand and audience reach, and to ensure HG publishing remains a vibrant, and sustainable business into the future.
Key to this is their dedication to nurturing talented teams, fostering a supportive and inclusive community within HGP, and upholding our commitment to creating a diverse and inspiring workplace.
‘It is particularly gratifying to be able to promote three long-standing staff members who have already brought so much to the success of HGP as they have taken on bigger roles as the business has grown. We are excited (and proud) to set them the task of guiding the long-term future of HGP’ – Sandy Grant, Chief Executive Officer, and Julie Pinkham, Managing Director, HGP.
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