A conversation about how publishing is adapting for the future.

For many, the way organisations are managed has not kept pace with the evolution of work or demographic changes. And now, with the pandemic, these changes have accelerated even further.

• People no longer want to limit the use of their personal skills and squeeze into roles defined by others.
• The myth that sitting at your desk 40 hours a week proves your value has been busted.
• Teams are tired of wearing artificial social masks to fit into the corporate culture.

But what are the solutions to these corporate and cultural changes?

Proponents of self-managed organisations have a simple idea: that leaders should focus on making space for their teams to generate ideas; and where they support their team’s growth rather than adopting the traditional command and control approach. So how does publishing fit into this brave new corporate world?

Join us and a panel of publishing leaders at The London Book Fair (Olympia Room) on Wednesday 6th April, 2022 from 2:30 to 3:15pm BST for an in-conversation event to mark the launch of the BookMachine Self-Managed Organisations white paper.

The speakers will consider what self-managed organisations are and what the rise of them means for the publishing industry. They will share their own experiences of evolving management structures and how they’ve stayed relevant over the past few years. And most importantly, they will discuss how the sector can adapt for a successful future.

Seats will be first-come, first-served. If you would like to reserve a seat at the panel, please register for a free spot by signing up above and we will make sure a seat is saved for you. Looking forward to seeing you there!

If you are a BookMachine member, you get 50% off your visitor pass to LBF. Log into your account and access your offer page here to book on with your discount.

The panel

Anna MacLaren May, Human Resources Director, Bonnier Books UK (Chair)

Anna is responsible for leading and developing the people strategy for the UK business, to support and inspire both the business and its people.  She joined Bonnier Books UK in 2018 and since then has had the opportunity to focus on Bonnier Books UK’s inaugural Inclusion and Representation Action Plan. Before joining Bonnier Books UK, Anna worked across Europe in a diverse number of sectors, including manufacturing, not-for-profit and the music industry.

Alison Shaw, CEO, Bristol University Press / Policy Press

Alison is the founder and CEO of Bristol University Press (BUP) which has just celebrated its fifth anniversary. BUP builds on the work of Policy Press (PP) which she founded in 1995 and is now an imprint within BUP.  BUP and PP publish pioneering scholarship and commentary that address society’s greatest challenges. Alison works closely with the Press’ dedicated team to provide a high-quality service to authors and customers as well as supporting the Press’ social and scholarly missions. She believes strongly in the value and importance of publishing evidence-informed content that can contribute to positive social, environmental and cultural change. BUP/PP is intent on being a collaborative, inclusive and supportive organisation, whose purpose-driven work is underpinned by an ethos of integrity and compassion.

Jason Mitchell, VP for Customer Experience, Typefi

Jason leads Typefi’s global Professional Services team and has over 15 years of experience in managing publishing operations and digital products for both small and large publishing houses. He has successfully led teams to redefine the publishing process to include digital products and improve profitability in the travel and medical publishing sectors. Jason is now focusing on applying the principles of self-management to a fully-remote team that delivers Typefi’s services to customers around the world.

Kika Sroka-Miller, former Director of Zed Books

Kika is a Polish-British publisher, artist and creative entrepreneur. They were on the board at Zed Books for eight years, first as Editorial Director and then as Managing Director. In 2020 Zed Books was acquired by Bloomsbury with Sroka-Miller leading on the sale and transition of the business. They are also the founder of Awaiting Press Ltd and of Keek’s Treats, a new hospitality venture. They paint portraits at their studio in Peckham, south east London.

Veruschka Selbach, MD, Pluto Books

Veruschka Selbach is Managing Director at Pluto Press, a radical anti-capitalist, independent publisher founded in 1969. She has worked internationally for various publishers and believes in small organisations that are focused on people before profit. She is passionate about publishing with a social purpose. Reading and learning is a portal into a better, more equitable world.