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Shannon Cullen has been appointed UK publishing director at Walker Books. Most recently group publishing director at Quarto Children’s, she will join Walker on Monday 21st October.
Cullen will oversee all UK publishing and report into Belinda Ioni Rasmussen, who will begin her role as president and publisher of the Walker Books Group in September. Cullen has worked in children’s publishing for over 25 years, notably with multiple senior roles at Penguin Random House, including publishing director for Ladybird Trade, Licensing & Education, and publisher for Puffin Fiction. In her time there, she oversaw growth in licensed publishing for Peppa Pig and Hey Duggee and new acquisitions of Bluey and Ten Minutes to Bed. She also published fiction authors such as John Green, Zoe Sugg and Phil Earle.
During her tenure at Quarto, Cullen has seen its biography series Little People, BIG DREAMS grow significantly, and has also raised the profile of Quarto’s children’s imprints, attracting acquisitions such as Kes Gray, Bethan Woollvin, Fatima Whitbread, Great Ormond Street Hospital Children’s Charity and Russell Kane.
"I’ve had a truly brilliant and energising time at Quarto, working with Alison and the global group, the wonderful children’s publishing teams and their outstanding authors and illustrators, and I’m proud of what we have achieved together," Cullen said. "Walker Books is one of the most glittering treasure chests in children’s publishing, and I know the talent behind its books is equal to its exceptional authors, illustrators and licensing partners. I’m excited to join Belinda and the team, and to work together to continue building and adding to the jewels of Walker’s publishing successes, reaching all children with our books."
Ioni Rasmussen added: "I have been following Shannon’s achievements at Quarto and am absolutely thrilled she is joining us. Her in-depth and varied experience from publishing award-winning and bestselling fiction authors to character and series brand management will be a brilliant addition to the talented team at Walker. I look forward to working with Shannon on growing the success of Walker Books’ publishing."