HarperCollins' Joseph Zigmond moves to John Murray

John Murray has appointed Joseph Zigmond, formerly of HarperCollins imprint William Collins, as senior commissioning editor. He will acquire a wide range of current affairs, business and history to complement Georgina Laycock’s non-fiction list from 2nd May, reporting into Mark Richards.

Zigmond started as a HarperCollins graduate trainee in 2011, before joining William Collins as editorial assistant the following year. He has since gone on to acquire a range of non-fiction titles, including the forthcoming Jog On by Bella Mackie, Microsoft c.e.o. Satya Nadella’s Hit Refresh, and Dunkirk by historian Joshua Levine, which he commissioned directly from the author and which will be the film tie-in for the Christopher Nolan film of the same name. 

Richards said: "I’ve known Joe for a while and have been an admirer of his clever, proactive publishing; he knows what a good book is, but he is also aware of market demands and the necessity of publishing in the round. I’m thrilled to be welcoming him to John Murray as we seek to build on our recent success."

Zigmond said: "It’s with deeply felt gratitude that I leave my friends and colleagues at William Collins for John Murray, an imprint of great talent, energy and reputation. I am ambitious to grow the quality non-fiction on their formidable and imaginative list, which already hosts some of the finest publishing in the country."

Following Zigmond's departure, 4th Estate assistant commissioning editor Tom Killingbeck has been promoted to commissioning editor at William Collins. Reporting into publishing director Arabella Pike, he will acquire general non-fiction, including memoir, popular culture, music, film/TV tie-in, lifestyle, humour and gift. 

Killingbeck joined HarperCollins in October 2013 as a successful candidate on the company’s Graduate Scheme, before being made publishing executive and then assistant commissioning editor for 4th Estate. 

Pike said: “Tom has shown exceptional creativity, enterprise and drive in his time working for 4th Estate. He has proved himself to be a commissioning editor of great originality with wide interests and a clear design and marketing vision for all his books. I am delighted that he is joining William Collins as commissioning editor and look forward to the fresh perspective his books will bring to the list.”