Orion promotes W&N publishers Lord and Samson

Jenny Lord, publishing director for Weidenfeld & Nicolson non-fiction, has been promoted to publisher for the imprint while non-fiction publisher Alan Samson's role is expanding to become W&N chairman.

Since joining W&N in September 2016, Lord is credited by Orion for acquiring a "brilliant and eclectic" range of titles. Among these are projects by Deborah Orr, Nesrine Malik, Mark Kermode, Julia Neuberger and Luke Turner, as well as new titles from Nobel Prize winner Malala Yousafzai, Philippe Sands and Adam Rutherford. Prior to joining W&N, Lord worked at Fig Tree and Canongate, where she published fiction and non-fiction titles.

As well as continuing with his commissioning brief as non-fiction publisher, Samson is meanwhile now set to take on the role of chairman for W&N. His successes over the years include books from the likes of Keith Richards, Roy Keane, Julie Walters, Simon Sebag Montefiore, Antonia Fraser and Antony Beevor. In his new role as chairman, he will continue to help steer the strategy of W&N, as well as using his experience and contacts to extend W&N’s reputation externally.

The W&N commissioning team – Paul Murphy, Lettice Franklin and Federico Andornino – will report in to Lord. Both Lord and Samson will report directly to Katie Espiner, m.d. of Orion.

Espiner commented: "I am delighted that we are able to promote Jenny into this key role. She is an insightful, creative publisher and I know that under her leadership W&N will continue to go from strength to strength. W&N is one of the most beloved, prestigious and respected imprints in all of publishing. We have an extraordinary platform from which to build and grow, and I am excited about what the future holds."