Knopp steps down as PRH Children’s rights director after 16 years as Grigg hired

After 16 years as rights director for Penguin Random House Children’s (PRHC), Zosia Knopp has taken the decision to step back from publishing to relocate with her family to North Norfolk, with international rights sales director for PRHC Alice Grigg to step into the role of rights director from September. 

Francesca Dow appointed Knopp to the role at Puffin in 2007, with a team then of just three people. Since then, it has grown significantly, including mergers with Penguin Brands & Licensing and the Random House Children’s rights team.

Chantal Noel, group rights director, said of Knopp’s departure: “A dear colleague and friend to us all, Zosia has always been a passionate cheerleader for the business and her contribution to the company stretches far and wide. There have been plenty of highlights over her rights career; from her trademark bespoke Bologna events for début writers such as early social media rock star, Zoella, to a theatre-style showcase complete with a live performance by Tom Fletcher.

“In brands and picture books, she has worked opportunistically with the team to grow revenues across the range, and she has worked collaboratively with other teams in the division to maximise print opportunities and best practice to help the team deliver their impressive growth numbers. Zosia loves a challenge and has applied her distinctive blend of creativity and drive to all areas of her role. I know that I speak for many in the division and beyond when I say that Zosia’s characteristic generosity and professionalism will be much missed by those of us who have had the joy of working with her, and we all wish her every joy in her new venture.”

On Griggs’ appointment to the role, Noel commented: “Alice is an exceptional children’s rights colleague with unbeatable experience across all areas of the children’s publishing rights business and a proven track record time and again for driving the critical acquisition of world rights, as well as a successfully executed strategy for growing international rights sales across the board. This includes an impressive slate of six-figure fiction deals in the US and a New York Times bestseller for Beth Lincoln’s The Swifts.”

Prior to joining PRH, Griggs led global rights sales for Bloomsbury US and UK Children’s and was responsible for the overall strategic growth and brand management of authors such as Sarah J Maas and JK Rowling’s illustrated Potter titles.

Francesca Dow, m.d. for PRHC, added: “Zosia brings joy and an irresistible energy and curiosity to her work and her passion and belief that the best children’s books can and must be shared internationally with as many wonderful publishers around the world as she can persuade, made her a brilliant ambassador for children’s rights. That she also negotiates hard, and doesn’t let ‘no’ get in her way, explains why she has built such a strong team and put rights at the centre of our growth strategy.

“Alice will be a brilliant new rights director as we look to the future and we are all excited about working with her in this new role. I will miss Zosia hugely, for her warmth, generosity, beautiful spirit, as well as that fiery ambition. But I love the sound of her new adventure and wish Zosia and her family so much good luck, happiness and fun in their new adventure – North Norfolk, hold on to your hats!”