Murrell leaves Blake Friedmann for Hardman & Swainson

Hana Murrell is departing Blake Friedmann to join Hardman & Swainson as rights director.

She takes over the position from Thérèse Coen, who has been appointed director of the Susanna Lea Associates London office.

Murrell has sold translation rights for four years at Blake Friedmann and was promoted to senior rights manager in 2020. Her rights career began in 2014 at Andrew Nurnberg Associates, followed by maternity covers at Curtis Brown and A M Heath. She will take up the role in the new year, starting on 5th January 2023.

Murrell said: "I have thoroughly enjoyed working and learning at Blake Friedmann over the last four years, and I’ll be very sad to say goodbye to wonderful colleagues and authors. Thérèse’s founding of a thriving translation rights department is a hard act to follow, but I hope to build on her success and I’m really looking forward to working on Hardman & Swainson’s diverse and interesting list, and to joining this brilliant team."

Co-founder Joanna Swainson said: "Hana came highly recommended and we were extremely impressed by her when she came for interview. As a skilled linguist with clear ambition and a proven track record, we are thrilled to welcome her to Hardman & Swainson."

Hardman & Swainson was founded in 2012. The team comprises co-founders and agents Caroline Hardman and Swainson, agent Hannah Ferguson, who joined in 2014, and assistant agent and rights executive Nicole Etherington.