Designer of the Year Buckley promoted at S&S Children's

British Book Awards Designer of the Year winner Jane Buckley has been promoted to senior art director of picture books at Simon & Schuster Children’s Books, effective immediately.

Buckley joined S&S in 2008 and has played a "pivotal role" in the success of the picture books list internationally and in the UK. Her promotion to senior art director recognises her "tremendous contribution to the business" and to the broader picture book landscape. In her new role, Buckley will work closely with picture book publisher Helen Mackenzie Smith on ambitious growth plans for the list, continuing to seek and develop bestselling talent. She will continue to report to David McDougall, creative director.

Buckley, the winner of the first Designer of the Year prize at the Nibbies this week, has over 20 years’ experience in children’s publishing. Throughout her career she her worked with a variety of illustrators including Benji Davies, Fiona Woodcock, Sara Ogilvie, Nadia Shireen, Steve Small, and Kate Hindley, who this week won the Oscar’s Book Prize with The Littlest Yak by Lu Fraser (S&S Children's). Buckley has been duo Sue Hendra and Paul Linnet’s designer for many years and has played a "critical" role in the creative development of the Supertato brand.

Rachel Denwood, m.d, said: "I am so delighted that we are recognising Jane’s enormous talent and contribution with this well-deserved promotion to senior art director. Jane is an inspirational creative and this promotion also acknowledges the fundamental importance of design excellence to our growth plan. I am enormously proud of the reputation, success and quality of the S&S picture book list and with the magical duo of Helen Mackenzie Smith and Jane Buckley at the helm the list will reach even greater heights, I’m sure."

Buckley said: "I feel truly privileged to have worked with some of the best authors and illustrators in the business. They inspire me every day. Equally, I could not be more proud of our in-house team and of the genius that is Helen Mackenzie Smith. I love the creative freedom that S&S gives me and feel completely honoured by this wonderful promotion."