Rafferty and Olusoga join Canongate board; Fry promoted to Publisher

Jenny Fry is being promoted to Publisher and Commercial Director at Canongate, allowing CEO Jamie Byng to dedicate his energies to commissioning and rights. Marking its 50th anniversary this year, the company has also appointed two new Non-Executive Board Directors: Anna Rafferty and David Olusoga.

The expansion of Fry’s role will see her add the additional responsibility of the Rights team to her existing role across Editorial, Publicity, Marketing and Sales. Byng will remain as Canongate’s CEO, with an emphasis on commissioning books; selling North American, film and tv rights; and managing Letters Live – the live stage show created by Canongate in 2013, now run in partnership with the film and tv production company SunnyMarch and Shaun Usher.

Fry says, “I’m grateful every day for the privilege of working with and for such brilliant people and I’m as elated as I am awed by the trust that Jamie, David Young and Kate Gibb have placed in me.”

In further changes to the company’s leadership team, business leader Anna Rafferty and historian David Olusoga joined the Canongate Board on March 1st as Non-Executive Directors. Rafferty and Olusoga will sit alongside Chair David Young, and the five Executive Board members: Jamie Byng, Jenny Fry, Kate Gibb, Francis Bickmore and Caroline Gorham.

Byng comments, “Jenny Fry’s contributions to the business over the last few years have been incalculable, while the addition of Anna Rafferty and David Olusoga – both highly experienced and talented individuals – to the Canongate Board makes our leadership team stronger than ever. In this our 50th year, it feels exciting to be taking such important steps as we futureproof the business and continue to build the company into an even more dynamic and stable home for all our authors and staff.”

Olusoga says, “I have watched Canongate’s publishing with growing admiration for many years, and have been continually impressed by the company's creativity, passion and ability to punch above its weight, on prize lists and bestseller lists alike. I’m delighted to now have the opportunity to contribute toward the ongoing success of this truly inspiring independent, and look forward to meeting the full team very soon.”

Rafferty adds, “I have enjoyed reading Canongate’s diverse, excellent, entertaining, brave and culture-setting publishing for decades. I am therefore honoured and utterly delighted to be invited to join the board and contribute to the company’s purpose and continued success.”

Canongate reported record-breaking turnover and pre-tax profits in 2022, with all areas of the business showing considerable growth. 2023 marks the company’s 50th anniversary, with key releases including Rick Rubin’s Sunday Times-bestselling The Creative Act; new novels from Women’s Prize shortlistee Ayobami Adebayo, Man Booker shortlistee Tan Twan Eng and Goldsmiths Prizewinner Mike McCormack; and a devastatingly honest memoir from John Niven exploring his brother’s death by suicide.

For more information, please contact Anna Frame, Publicity Director:
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