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Jessica Duffy is leaving Pan Macmillan after seven years in the communications team to join Orion Spring in the newly created role of editorial director.
Duffy, an award-winning senior publicity manager at Bluebird and One Boat, will start her new role in May 2022, reporting to publisher Pippa Wright.
While at Pan Macmillan, Duffy drove campaigns for bestselling and record-breaking authors including Joe Wicks, Jack Monroe and Pinch of Nom, as well as forging partnerships with organisations such as the Trussell Trust and Black Minds Matter.
As editorial director of Orion Spring, which launched in 2016 and, according to the publisher, saw record profit in 2021, Duffy will be commissioning titles in the areas of self-development, health, wellbeing and inspiration. The publisher includes among its authors television presenter Laura Whitmore and singer Anne Marie.
Duffy said: “I am so grateful for my time spent at Pan Macmillan, and Bluebird specifically. I will miss the team and the incredible authors I have worked with immensely, but feel ready and excited to take on this fantastic new role at Orion Spring.
“On meeting Pippa and Anna, I was so impressed with their vision for the imprint and I can’t wait to be a part of bringing that to life. The values and interest areas at Orion Spring could not be more aligned with my own and I look forward to finding new and diverse authors to platform in this space, as well as building on the brilliant success of the existing Orion Spring list.”
Publisher Pippa Wright added: “Orion Spring is focused on ambitious growth over the next five years, and I can’t think of a better partner to help build and develop our publishing than Jess.
“From the moment I met her I was bowled over by Jess’ energy, her commercial instincts and her deep passion for self-development. Jess fully embodies the Orion Spring mission of making life brighter and I’m excited for what we will achieve together.”