Pete Selby joins Roald Dahl Story Company

Pete Selby, former head of books and music at Sainsbury's, has been appointed retail publishing director at the Roald Dahl Story Company.

The company, formerly the Roald Dahl Literary Estate, describes itself as "a proactive entertainment licensor looking to build on its established excellence across media platforms and passionately committed to innovation in all areas involving Roald Dahl", with the author now a "global family entertainment brand."

"Pete’s appointment will support the company’s publishing ambitions in an exciting and significant way," the company stated. "Whilst working closely alongside all key partners to shape and drive the publishing strategy in the UK, Pete will also help manage the international landscape as growth continues to gather pace in territories including Australia, China and the USA."

Selby said: “It’s a real privilege to be joining the Roald Dahl Story Company at this stage in its history. To be working with the team on how we take these timeless characters and inspire and thrill future generations of children around the world is a dream job for someone who grew up with Roald Dahl’s books. There are so many new and exciting stories to be told – in ever more creative and engaging ways – and I’m delighted to be working alongside some of the most progressive minds in publishing and entertainment to help deliver this.”   

Dahl's grandson Luke Kelly, m.d. of The Roald Dahl Story Company, commented: “Pete joins at an incredibly exciting time for the Roald Dahl Story Company. Our publishing has never been stronger and we have ambitious plans in entertainment across film, television and stage yet to come. We are very excited to bring in Pete to further develop our publishing business in the UK and internationally and develop our presence at retail.”