Oliver Malcolm launches eponymous publishing transformation agency

Ex-Hodder & Stoughton managing director Oliver Malcolm has launched his own consultancy, Oliver Malcolm Publishing Transformation. 

Designed to empower publishers, agents and authors, the consultancy “aims to help navigate the rapidly changing world of publishing” and includes free support for neurodiverse individuals.

The announcement follows news of Malcolm’s departure from Hodder & Stoughton after two years as managing director.

Malcolm told The Bookseller: "It has struck me in recent months - pretty hard at times - that we are rapidly approaching another seismic moment in our industry that could provoke as much change as the e-book revolution of nearly a decade ago. Speaking to colleagues, literary agents, authors and international partners, so many of us are just about being able to keep our necks above water in recent years, with little room for genuine long term planning.

"However, we are already seeing as an industry that we cannot simply increase prices, increase title counts or rely on TikTok indefinitely. We also have to reconcile a societal cultural change that we can no longer rely upon the publishing workforce being prepared to work outside of contracted hours simply based on passion."

He added: "I want to work with publishers, authors and colleagues to deliver genuine strategic assessments - not simply tactical changes. I want to deliver better value than all the coaches employed who just don’t have real world publishing experience. Lastly I want to equip agents and authors to be primed, to ask the right questions around international and digital growth and to emphasise to all parties that, above all else, we must focus on originality creativity and humanity."

The announcement for Oliver Malcolm Publishing Transformation reads: “With a wealth of experience from senior roles at major publishing houses including Penguin Random House, HarperCollins and Hachette, Oli is well-equipped to tackle the industry’s challenges. His overall mission is simple: to help clients sell more books in more formats, to more readers in more territories.”

The agency offers three key services. The first, Publishing Transformation: Consultancy, includes “tailored consultancy programmes that address the pressing needs of the publishing industry [such as] optimising sales strategies, exploring new business models, delivering strategic change, launching debuts or building brand authors”.

The second service, Personal Transformation: Coaching, features “coaching for both seasoned leaders and emerging talent”. Additionally, it will also offer specialised free support for neurodiverse individuals, ensuring an inclusive environment for all.

The third strand, Professional Talent Management: Representation, includes work with aspiring authors and agents to navigate the complexities of publishing.

Malcolm said: “I’m here to partner with my clients, not just advise them. Publishing can be opaque, but my goal is to bring transparency and clarity. I feel hugely motivated to help clients thrive amid change, ensuring that my consultancy and coaching is practical, relevant and rooted in real-world experience."

Malcolm has over two decades of experience in UK trade publishing, including senior positions at Hachette. He has worked across strategy, leadership, sales and editorial, most recently overseeing the strategic transformation of Hodder & Stoughton which was shortlisted for Publisher of the Year 2023 at the British Book Awards.

For more information, email oli@olivermalcolmpt.com or visit olivermalcolmpt.com.