Faber announces string of changes to arts publishing editorial team 

Faber has announced a string of changes to its editorial team, which will see Hannah Knowles move into the newly created permanent position of publishing director, arts and culture, from July, while Dan Papps is promoted to director, popular music and Belinda Matthews moves to the role of editor at large. 

Knowles joined Faber in February 2022, initially covering the role of editorial director, music and pop culture, before taking on a further maternity-cover role as publishing director, general non-fiction. Prior to joining Faber, Knowles most recently worked at Canongate, where she spent five years, and Octopus Publishing.

This role will oversee all of Faber’s music and screen publishing, with the heads of the individual music and film lists reporting into Knowles. She will also be acquiring, predominantly for the arts and culture lists, alongside which she will explore new arts areas for Faber to publish in. This new role will report into associate publisher Laura Hassan, who will now be overseeing all areas of non-fiction.

Papps will lead Faber’s popular music acquisitions and continue to oversee and execute the majority of the publication campaigns. Papps (previously deputy director, music) began his career at Faber as manager of Faber Social, having worked for 11 years within the music industry at Domino Records.  

Matthews, who currently leads Faber’s classical music list, joined the publisher in 1988. In her new role she will step back from commissioning and day-to-day editorial work, focusing on scouting for new classical talent and advising on acquisitions for the list, while continuing to support her ongoing writers. 

Alex Bowler, publisher (adult list), said: “Faber’s Arts publishing – books on music of all types, film, theatre and beyond – has always been fundamental to our unique identity. Each of these significant changes means we will continue to draw on the most exceptional expertise and experience, galvanised with fresh and perfectly attuned new leadership. 

“Since arriving at Faber at the start of last year, Hannah has excelled in two very different high-level maternity covers, maintaining the power of each list while adding fresh energy and definition. I feel immensely fortunate to have encountered somebody with the perfect skillset, ready to take on a thrilling and unique position in British publishing. In Dan, the popular music list now has a director who has already led us to extraordinary acquisition opportunities and helped deliver a series of unmissable popular music publications, and who is now in a position to make a great list thrive even further.

“Belinda’s contribution to Faber, meanwhile, is nothing short of legendary. It is felt by all of us who work with her day in, day out. Her wisdom and generosity has provided a guiding, comforting light to so many of us, her colleagues, whether new to the industry or experienced. And this is just as true for her illustrious writers, who now make up the English-language’s outstanding classical music list. I’m delighted that she will continue to champion her list and scout for new classical talent, and that her colleagues and writers can still draw on her invaluable support and guidance.” 

Knowles said: “I feel extraordinarily lucky to be taking on this new role within Faber. It encompasses so much that I am passionate about and to be able to develop this area at such a remarkable company is a real honour. From the moment I joined, the team here has bowled me over with their exceptional creativity and collegiate spirit, and I can’t wait to get started.” 

Papps said it was “a great privilege to be handed the keys to the Faber popular music list" while Matthews said she “look[ed] forward to continuing my happy journey and supporting my writers in my new role”.