Ladybird promotes Grosart to publisher as Stowell departs

Ladybird has promoted editorial director Lou Grosart to the role of publisher for its trade list, succeeding Louie Stowell who is leaving the role to dedicate more time to her writing career.

Grosart (pictured) steps into the role from 1st January 2021, reporting to publishing director Shannon Cullen. She will lead the editorial team and strategy across the commercial trade list, which includes the Ten Minutes to Bed, Baby Touch and Topsy & Tim series of books as well as authors Kim Hillyard and Ben Rothery.

Stowell has a four-book deal with Nosy Crow and a new author-illustrator series with Walker, and will also take on freelance writing projects.

The trade team will also recruit a new commissioning editor. Ladybird licensing publisher Leanne Gill and Ladybird education publisher Kate Heald continue to manage their existing lists.

Grosart said: "I’m hugely excited to take on this role in the trade list and look forward to working with [art director] James Stevens and the whole team to build on the brilliant work that Louie has begun."

Ladybird publishing director Shannon Cullen said: "Lou is an exceptional publishing talent – having worked with everyone from Tom Fletcher to Shirley Hughes, and across brands such as Peppa Pig and Hey Duggee – and, since moving to our trade team in February, has continued to bring that commercial flair and expertise to our growing list.

"Louie arrived at Ladybird at the end of 2017 to lead our reimagination of the trade list and, with her dazzling creativity and commitment to the consumer, guided our new publishing to great success around the world. We thank her for that and will miss her enormously, but wish her continued success with her writing career. Both Louie and I congratulate Lou on her new role."