Orion's Clare Hey returns to S&S UK

Orion’s Clare Hey will be returning to Simon & Schuster UK to take up the role of publishing director of fiction across adult publishing.

She will report to adult publishing m.d. Suzanne Baboneau at S&S UK, taking up her position on 4th November.

Hey is currently publishing director of Orion Fiction, and is responsible for running the women’s fiction, historical fiction and reading group fiction parts of the list. Her first major acquisition for Orion was The Lido, Libby Page’s bestselling debut, and she has also worked with Erica James, Joanne Harris, Cathy Kelly and Fanny Blake.

She joined Hachette in January 2017, after five years as editorial director of fiction S&S UK.

“Hey brings to this new role her considerable editorial reputation coupled with a wealth of strategic publishing experience,” S&S UK said. “She has an author-centred approach and proven ability to launch debuts, build brand authors and publish the best across the breadth of fiction.”

Hey said: “I am delighted to be joining S&S again and working with Ian and Suzanne and their brilliant team and amazing authors. I will, of course, be sad to leave behind the wonderful team and authors at Orion but feel privileged to have been part of an exciting time in their history. I am really looking forward to getting started at S&S, and being part of its future growth.”

Baboneau said: “It is a complete delight to welcome Clare to Simon & Schuster UK once again. She joins the company at a time of growth and investment, and her overall publishing experience including, latterly, the invaluable time she spent at Orion, will pay great dividends.  Clare will take the helm of a thriving department and a flourishing fiction list."

She added: "There is much more to do and to have Clare on board, with her dynamism, her wonderful way with authors, and her keen ambition for our publishing, is key to us delivering even greater success.”