Phipps leaves Igloo as Bonnier reshuffle continues

Mike Phipps, publisher at Igloo Books for eight years, has left the company. Bonnier Publishing, which owns Igloo, confirmed that Phipps had left the post but declined to comment any further.

Phipps became publisher at mass-market and licensed books publisher Igloo in 2009. The list was set up in 2003 by John Styring, who sold it to Bonnier Publishing in 2014. At the time, Bonnier’s then c.e.o. Richard Johnson said he struck the deal in order for his publisher to become a “dominant force” in the children’s mass-market space.

Bonnier appointed Paul Gregory, former president and chief operating officer of Parragon Books, as the chief executive of Igloo in June last year. Johnson stepped down from his position as Bonnier c.e.o. in February and was succeeded by Jim Zetterlund, c.o.o. and chief financial officer of parent company Bonnier Books in Sweden.

Last month Bonnier Publishing announced it was closing Five Mile, an Australian publisher of kids’ books focused mainly on licensing.