Agent Robert Caskie to leave PFD

Literary agent Robert Caskie has decided to leave Peters, Fraser and Dunlop after seven years.

Caskie began as an agent at PFD and was apppointed as the company's chief operating officer in 2012. In the last year, after returning from a three-month sabatical in India during 2014, he also established ipso books, the group’s new digital publishing company. The day to day running of the company will be taken over by associate publisher Kate Evans.

Caskie told The Bookseller he was leaving behind his career as an agent to pursue new opportunities, having "always been a bit of a maverick" and wanting to "leave on a high," after successfully launching ipso and overseeing the progression of several employees under his wing within PFD. 

Caskie said he made the decision to move on at the end of last year. "Seven years is a long time," he said. "I felt it was a natural time for change."

Caskie will spend the next six weeks at PFD to ensure "a smooth handover" of his work and authors.

His clients, who he said had "all been really supportive and positive", include the editor in chief of Elle magazine, Lorraine Candy; comedian, author and mental heath campaigner Ruby Wax; fashion director at The Pool Stacey Duguid; and the author of Not Quite Nice (Bloomsbury), Celia Imrie.

Caskie - who has worked in film and PR as well as in publishing - said he would be seeking a career in an "affiliated industry" and would be available from March to take on new projects. He cited "a trust, arts organisation, or maybe publishing" all as possibilities for "a new and exciting challenge" for him. After time spent working with Lord Cashman on his memoir, he is also interested in freedom of speech and human rights issues.

Caskie said: “I have thoroughly enjoyed my time at PFD and have learnt an incredible amount. It has been exciting to have been a part of the development and growth of the company. I would like to thank Caroline Michel for all the opportunities she has given me and also everyone at PFD for their commitment and support. I look forward to exploring all the possibilities that the future will bring”.

Caskie is contactable at robcaskie@hotmail.co.uk