Lion Hudson m.d. Nick Jones steps down

Nick Jones, m.d. of Oxford-based Christian publisher Lion Hudson, is stepping down after 35 years in publishing.

Jones has been m.d. of Lion Hudson since September 2014. He was previously m.d. of Angus Hudson, becoming deputy m.d. for Lion Hudson when Lion Publishing and Angus Hudson merged in 2003.

Jones will "step down from his day-to-day role" on 31st March, becoming m.d. emeritus until officially retiring on 6th June. He is to be succeeded by Suzanne Wilson-Higgins, who will become the new m.d. of Lion Hudson on 1st April.

Lion Hudson unveiled a new editorial restructure in January, where it made various new appointments and internal promotions across its five imprints.

Chairman Nicholas Gray and deputy m.d. Suzanne Wilson-Higgins paid tribute to Jones as "an encouraging and visionary leader of the company," and "a supportive colleague and friend". Gray commented: “Nick's long business experience and passion for Lion Hudson's unique mission to publish Christian books for the general market have served the company so well. Nick is respected and indeed loved by LH's international partners whose co-editioning projects he has championed throughout his career. We will all miss his warmth and caring leadership."

He added: “Suzanne is a highly experienced publisher and leader for the digital era. She has all the credentials required to lead the company through this time of transition and seek new opportunities. We wish her well in this fresh challenge."

Wilson-Higgins said: “It has been a blessing to serve my apprenticeship at Lion Hudson under Nick's leadership and I am excited to be taking the company forward from April."

Jones said: “It has been a real privilege to work on such a wonderful range of life changing books and resources over the years with publishers all around the world, as well as the talented and committed team at Lion Hudson. The publishing industry has certainly seen a lot of change since I joined this wonderful arena and family of publishing in June 1981. This journey soon brought me to a light that George Verwer (OM) shone and Ken Taylor (founder of Tyndale) standing at my side on my journey. Angus and Mair Hudson and David and Pat Alexander taught me that business and changing and enriching lives was now a focus. I shall miss working with the Lion Hudson team but I will continue to cheer them on from the side-lines and wish Suzanne every success in the future as she takes over the position of m.d.”

Lion Hudson plc is said to be the largest Christian publisher in Europe. Its recent titles include The Lion Comic Book Hero Bible, the autobiography of Canon Andrew White, The Unofficial Bible for Minecrafters, and Then Sings My Soul, a celebration of 40 favourite hymns by BBC "Songs of Praise" presenter Pam Rhodes.