Poplak to take on HarperCollins Children's Books after Murtagh departure 

Cally Poplak, executive publisher at Farshore, will take on additional responsibility for HarperCollins Children’s Books division following Ann-Janine Murtagh’s decision to leave the business. 

HarperCollins stressed the two divisions will continue to operate separately, and there is no intention to merge them. 

Poplak joined HarperCollins as part of the acquisition of Egmont Books in May 2020. She previously worked at Hodder & Stoughton, then Reed Children’s Books before it was acquired by Egmont, where she held the role of publisher for fiction. From 2015 until its acquisition by HarperCollins, she was managing director of Egmont UK, responsible for the combined books and magazine business. 

At Farshore she publishes some of the biggest children’s authors, brands and classics in the world, including Michael Morpurgo, Lemony Snicket, Jamila Gavin, Holly Jackson, David Levithan and Tahereh Mafi, Minecraft, Roblox and Pokemon as well as Winnie-the-Pooh, Mr Men Little Miss and Thomas & Friends. 

HarperCollins c.e.o. Charlie Redmayne said: “We are very sad to see Ann-Janine leaving HarperCollins and wish her well with her new ventures. Cally has proven herself to be a truly exceptional leader in children’s publishing. I could not think of anyone better to take on HarperCollins Children’s Books, and to build on the success that the division has had over more than a decade. The divisions will continue as separate entities to give us the best opportunity to continue growing our overall children’s offering.” 

Poplak added: “After two fantastic years at HarperCollins, where Farshore has experienced fantastic year-on-year growth, with sales and chart success across all parts of the portfolio—picture books, fiction, YA and brands and licensing—I am delighted to be given this opportunity to lead the hugely successful HarperCollins Children’s division alongside Farshore.  

“I look forward to growing HarperCollins Children’s business by making the most of the advantages that we have with two distinct children’s divisions, offering authors, illustrators and licensors the broadest range of publishing talent and taste, and catering to all readers and children’s book buyers.”