Robin Baird-Smith joins Swift Press as editorial director

Former Bloomsbury editorial director Robin Baird-Smith has joined Swift Press as editorial director in a newly created role, commissioning into both the Swift and Forum imprints.

Baird-Smith left Bloomsbury Continuum in February after 24 years (Continuum was acquired by Bloomsbury 13 years ago). He has also worked at Collins, Constable and Duckworth before that publishing authors such as Ian Botham and David Gower, Muriel Spark and Beryl Bainbridge, Roger Scruton and Ferdinand Mount. He was presented with the Lanfranc Award for Education and Scholarship last June.

The new role at Swift Press will see him commissioning into both the Swift and Forum imprints.

Swift publisher Mark Richards said: “I have long admired Robin’s publishing, his wide-ranging interests and his commitment to healthy debate; and we are thrilled to have an editor of his experience and stature join us as we grow Swift. We look forward to working together on books that, like him, are surprising, thoughtful and charming.” 

Baird-Smith says: “Ever since the excellent Swift Press started up in 2020, I have watched its progress with admiration and no small amount of envy. I am therefore thrilled to be asked to join Mark Richards and Diana Broccardo and their publishing house, a house which breathes with the spirit of freedom and independence.” 

He can be contacted at robin.baird-smith@swiftpress.com.