Mike Phipps joins 'growing' indie Sweet Cherry

Former Igloo Books publisher Mike Phipps has joined Sweet Cherry, an independent publisher based in Leicester.

Phipps is joining the company, which specialises in creating its own content and publishing sets and series, to develop its mass market and licensed products.

“Now that Parragon have gone under, there is room for another big player in the market and with the quality of our products, we are confident that the retailers will match our passion,” he said. “I’m excited to launch brand new innovative formats. Sweet Cherry will be marketing content as a series, developing its own IP, and we’re set to launch with a bang. We’re in discussion with hot key licenses and we’re approaching major toy and film studios.”

Sweet Cherry has hired two other former Igloo employees - Neil Hardwick and Molly Evans - as senior designer and production coordinator, respectively, as well as Margo Reverdiau from Oxford University Press to work in the production department.

M.d. Abdul Thadha said the hires boost the staff numbers to 16 and that he is investing in employees, taking on people with experience as well as new graduates and local talent, to grow the company. 

“Mike’s experience is with mass market books and we are currently pitching for hot licences. With Parragon leaving the market it’s an area we can step into,” he said. “It’s a really exciting time for us.”