Harper NonFiction announces first stage of restructure with a raft of promotions

HarperCollins has revealed the first stage of a restructure of its Harper NonFiction division, with several promotions and role changes and a new specialist imprint in the works.

The changes will "help breathe ever-greater genre expertise, specificity, market focus and targeted brilliance into all areas of its non-fiction publishing", the publisher said.

The restructure has been announced by Harper NonFiction and HarperNorth managing director and publisher Sarah Emsley, “with further news to follow later this year”, the company said. Emsley will continue to acquire and publish two to three books a year across the Harper NonFiction and HarperNorth imprints.

With immediate effect, Joel Simons is promoted to publisher of Mudlark & Smart Thinking. Previously publishing director, his authors include Rory Carroll, Paul Whitehouse, Maureen Callahan and Peter Kay. Imogen Gordon Clark, who works alongside Simons as editor on Mudlark, is promoted to commissioning editor.

Shipster is promoted to publisher for Entertainment, previously she had been publishing director. Shipster works alongside a wide range of A-list authors, including on the newly announced Cher memoir, with Angela Kelly, Marcus Wareing, Felicity Cloake and Cher, whose first volume of memoirs will be published in November. On top of her new responsibilities, Shipster will continue to publish a handful of high-profile cookery names.

Publishing director Ajda Vucicevic will continue to commission commercial titles for the entertainment list, but will now also take strategic and financial responsibility for "real-life" publishing on the HarperElement imprint.

In the Lifestyle and Thorsons team, Julia Pollacco is promoted to commissioning editor while HarperCollins Gift & IP publishing is headed by specialist and Thorsons publishing director Lydia Good with an official imprint for the range to be announced imminently. Commissioning editor Harriet Prideaux, whose successes have included Rubbish Pet Portraits and The Terry’s Chocolate Orange Cookbook, is promoted to senior commissioning editor.

Emsley said: “These promotions recognise the achievements and skills of some of the best non-fiction publishers in the business. I have been impressed by the team since I started in 2023. Joel is a dynamic and forensic commissioner, who drives the Mudlark imprint with ownership and poise; Katya an accomplished, acquisitive and strategic publisher, as well as an empowering people manager; Ajda a brilliant commercial commissioner with an impressive vision for growth; and Lydia a creative innovator in Gift & IP and exceptional illustrated-book publisher.

“Supported by their teams, including those deservedly promoted alongside them, I have no doubt they will take Harper NonFiction to new heights.”