Pan Mac appoints Grogan as director of people and culture 

Pan Macmillan has appointed Briony Grogan, until recently HR director and diversity lead at News UK, to the new position of director of people and culture.

She will report directly to c.e.o. Joanna Prior and will assume responsibility for Pan Macmillan’s HR department led by Rina Gulrajani and the company’s people strategy including talent management, reward, diversity and inclusion, learning and development, health and wellbeing and promoting a “values-led working environment where everyone feels able to contribute to the success of the business”.

Grogan was HR director at News UK for six years and since 2018, diversity lead at the organisation. She began her career at Waterstones, becoming divisional HR manager in 2008, moving on to HMV Group where she was HR manager.

Prior said: “Over the past year, I’ve got to know what an impressive and creative company Pan Macmillan is. There is a strong and cohesive culture that values independence and diversity and has an unwavering passion for the authors and illustrators we are fortunate enough to publish.

"This new role of director of people and culture acknowledges the talent we already have within the business and our ambition to attract and retain new colleagues from the biggest possible pool, while emphasising the value we put on our people and the importance of fostering a collaborative and dynamic culture to underpin everything we do.

“Briony’s experience of designing and implementing people strategy and development in the adjacent industries of media and book retail, her track record in and advocacy for the importance of diversity and inclusion, her natural empathy and her passion for books and reading make her the ideal person for this important new role.

"I am looking forward to working closely with her and our brilliant HR team led by Rina Gulrajani, which will now report to Briony, as we develop, enhance and articulate what we offer our colleagues, what we represent to our authors and what we contribute to society.”

Grogan added: “I am incredibly excited to be returning to the world of books and working with an organisation that cares so deeply about diversity, equity and inclusion. I look forward to meeting everyone and learning more about the organisation over the coming weeks.”

She will join Pan Macmillan on 3rd July 2023.