Jenny Fry promoted to Canongate's commercial director

Canongate’s Jenny Fry has been promoted to commercial director as she takes on responsibility for sales along with her communications remit.

Fry joined Canongate as communications director in November 2015, having previously worked at Little, Brown, Penguin Press, and Penguin General. She stepped up to Canongate’s board in January 2018 along with publishing director Francis Bickmore.

The Bookseller understands that the promotion will not see Fry replace anyone but instead is a clarification of her role. She will have the following employees reporting directly to her: sales director Neal Price, head of international sales Steph Scott and Lisa Finch, head of online and audio Jo Lord, publicity director Anna Frame, marketing director Celeste Ward-Best and head of marketing Vicki Watson.

Jamie Byng, c.e.o. of Canongate, said: “I’m delighted that Jenny has been promoted to commercial director, a key position in the business that sees her assume responsibility for sales as well as continuing to run our campaigns and communications department and play an active role on the Canongate board of directors (which she joined in January 2018).  Since her arrival at Canongate, Jenny has excelled in her varying roles here, showing great skill as a team-builder and inspirational leader of her departments, and I am excited at the prospect of her playing an increasingly influential part in shaping Canongate’s future.” 

Fry told The Bookseller: “I’m so proud of what we’re doing here at Canongate and my role in it – what we’ve achieved and what we’re trying to achieve speaks volumes about our people, our approach, and – last but not least the writers we publish.”