Bonnier Books UK has announced two key new hires within the Children’s Trade division. Susannah Palfrey will join this June as North American Sales & International Development Director, while Russell McLean has taken on the role as the new Publishing Director of the award-winning Big Picture Press.
Palfrey joins from Hachette, where she has spent the previous eighteen years of her career, most recently as International Business Development Director. In her new role, she will take on responsibility for leading sales efforts in the crucial North American market, forging strategic partnerships, unlocking new revenue streams, and expanding the company’s global reach and impact.
McLean joins Big Picture Press following four and a half years heading up Macmillan Children’s Books’ Kingfisher imprint, where he published the likes of Saving Sorya: Chang and the Sun Bear, winner of the 2023 Carnegie Medal for Illustration. He was previously Publisher at Carlton Kids, and has worked with global brands including the Roald Dahl Story Company, FIFA, Disney, DreamWorks and Universal. McLean will lead the acclaimed Big Picture Press imprint as it celebrates its milestone tenth year of publishing and looks ahead to the next decade of extraordinary illustrated books.
Palfrey said: “I’m thrilled to be joining Helen and the fantastic children’s trade team at BBUK at this exciting time of growth for the company. I’ve long admired the quality and breadth of the list, so I’m excited to have the opportunity to help build on their successful track record of sales into the US and beyond. I’ve enjoyed the most incredible 18 years at HCG and will miss the brilliant team there, but I can’t wait to start this new chapter at Bonnier.”
McLean added: “I’ve followed Big Picture Press ever since the publication of Maps and Animalium ten years ago, and have always admired its strong design aesthetic, high production values, and the inventive approach it takes to both content and format. I couldn’t feel more privileged to be leading the imprint into its second decade as one of the most distinctive illustrated non-fiction lists in the world.”
Helen Wicks, managing director of Children’s Trade, commented: “I am delighted to welcome Susannah and Russell to the BBUK team – two exceptional talents, whose work I have admired for some time. I’m excited to see how they put their stamp on these key roles, and look forward to working closely with the pair as they bring their wealth of skill, passion and industry-leading experience to the company as we strengthen and take the next steps forward together.”
Palfrey will join the company on June 3rd, while McLean commenced the new role in April. Both will report directly into Helen Wicks.
