Simon Johnson

Group Managing Director, UK & International
HarperCollins

Simon is the Group Managing Director of HarperCollins UK & International, responsible for its commercial operations (Sales, Rights, Strategy & Corporate Development, Finance, Commercial Finance, Digital, Pricing & Analytics, HR, and Legal & Contracts), as well as for delivering the operating profits and strategy for all eight divisions of the Adult and Children’s trade publishing businesses in the UK. Its overseas businesses outside North America including HarperCollins Australia & New Zealand are also direct reports.

Simon joined HarperCollins in 2007 as strategist to the CEO after gaining an MBA with Distinction from London Business School. During his time at HarperCollins, he has worked on new business development, especially in the digital space, completed several acquisitions; worked alongside the CEO to develop future business strategy; expanded the international footprint of the business through opening new offices; established and led the commercial finance function, been responsible for all sales & digital teams in the UK and internationally since 2010 and all of trade publishing since 2011.

Simon helped HarperCollins win the prestigious UK Publisher of the Year in 2012 based on the following criteria from the judging panel “industry-leading digital activity” a 2% sales increase through Nielsen BookScan’s Total Consumer Market left HarperCollins the only one of the top eight publishers in the black – compared to a 6% dip across the TCM as a whole”.

Prior to HarperCollins, Simon worked in investment banking for seven years for Goldman Sachs and RBS, eventually establishing and then running an Equity Derivatives trading business. After leaving the City he set up and managed a TV and Theatre production company whose highlights over three years included a BBC commission and a West End production.

In addition to his work at HarperCollins, Simon has continued his interest in theatre as a Board Trustee and member of both the Development Council and the Finance & Audit Committee of the internationally renowned Bush Theatre in West London.