Heald to lead new education business unit at PRH Children’s

Kate Heald has been promoted to publishing director for education at Penguin Random House Children’s, leading a new standalone education business unit.

She was previously publisher at Ladybird Education and will now join the children’s senior leadership team, reporting to m.d. Francesca Dow.

PRH said the new unit was "in recognition of the ambition the division has to grow in education". It said: "Kate will build on the successes she and her team have established, such as Penguin Readers, creating the essential new early learning series Learn with Peppa, plus a significant programme to teach young children English in China."

It confirmed the unit involves no structural change to the education supporting teams and PRH Children’s will be advertising for a trade publishing director for Ladybird trade and licensing. No further details of the unit have been given.

Heald joined Ladybird five years ago primarily to grow the Ladybird Education business, which evolved into a list which comprises Ladybird, Puffin and Penguin authors and brands. In her new role, she will be working to continue growing PRH's education series in international markets, building catalogue sales as well as focusing on securing commercial deals and driving acquisitions strategy for education.

Dow said: "This is a really interesting moment in our education publishing and I’m excited that we have such a strong, sales-focused, inspiringly thoughtful and calm leader in Kate to lead us forward. She is an expert in her field and has a keen sales eye for understanding what the market needs and then translating that into compelling educational publishing."

Heald added: "Establishing an education list with the incredible authors and brands across Ladybird, Puffin and Penguin has been a unique and rewarding experience. I’m delighted to have this opportunity to develop the list further and to continue working with my talented colleagues at PRH Children’s."