Perminder Mann appointed President of the Publishers Association

Perminder Mann, c.e.o. of Bonnier Books UK, has been appointed president of the Publishers Association. Mann succeeds Antonia Seymour, chief executive of IOP Publishing, who remains an officer of the Publishers Association.

The presidency transferred at the Publishers Association’s annual general meeting (a.g.m.) which was held yesterday afternoon (8th May, 2024) at the British Library. 

Mandy Hill, managing director of academic publishing at Cambridge University Press & Assessment, was appointed to the position of Publishers Association (PA) vice-president and treasurer. This means, for the first time, that all three Publishers Association Officers are women. 

Mann said of the appointment: “I feel truly honoured to step into the role of president of the Publishers Association. Working with Dan Conway, the brilliant team at the PA, and our inspiring officers, I intend to use this incredible opportunity to amplify and expand upon the outstanding efforts already underway in our sector to enhance accessibility, increase literacy, and broaden social mobility. I firmly believe that investing in literacy is an investment in our collective future.” 

Dan Conway, c.e.o. of the PA, said: “Perminder will bring leadership and vision to her role as president of the Publishers Association. She has been a supporter of our work for many years and I look forward to working even more closely with her over the next 12 months. I know she has some brilliant priorities that we’re very excited to support.” 

Mann’s inaugural speech was followed by an address from Waterstones Children’s Laureate Joseph Coelho, who reflected on what he has discovered during his tenure and how children’s access to books and reading can be supported. 

In addition, the following appointments to the PA’s Council were announced: Sanjee de Silva, publisher at Sweet Cherry Publishing; Nick Fowler, chief academic officer at Elsevier; Sharon Hague, managing director of school assessment and qualifications at Pearson; Lisa Mahan, chief marketing officer at Taylor & Francis; Hilary Murray Hill, c.e.o. of Hachette Children’s Group; Karen Phillips, executive vice-president, learning & UK executive lead at Sage (who takes up a role as the PA’s representative on the International Publishers Association board); and Nigel Portwood, chief executive of Oxford University Press.