The Bookseller.com

2nd December 2008

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Ellingham quits Rough Guides

01.10.07 Alison Flood

Rough Guides founder Mark Ellingham is leaving the company to join independent publisher Profile Books. Together with BBC Worldwide consultant environment editor Duncan Clark, he will set up a new green and ethical imprint, GreenProfile, as well as commission books for Profile's general trade list.

Ellingham founded travel publisher Rough Guides in 1982. It was bought by Penguin in 2002 and earlier this year celebrated its 25th anniversary. He said: "After 25 years at Rough Guides, I’m just about ready for a fresh challenge—and for some time I’ve wanted to put my energy into green and ethical issues. GreenProfile will allow me to do just that, as well as to try my hand at other publishing ideas, which wouldn't have fitted into Rough Guides. I feel distinctly energised by returning to a small company environment, too, and especially to one with such an evidently can-do, no-set-rules attitude."

His new role as associate publisher at Profile will see him and Clark representing Profile at environment events, providing custom publishing for companies looking to create material around green issues, and offering publishing support to a range of charities. He and Clark, who were both
instrumental in the promotional launch of the rainforest charity Cool Earth earlier this year, will also commission books for GreenProfile.

Ellingham leaves Rough Guides at the end of October. Penguin said that with Rough Guides' 25th anniversary concluded, Ellingham felt the time was right for him to move on. It added that Ellingham would retain close links with Rough Guides, as the author of several travel titles and co-editor of The Rough Guide to World Music.

Profile m.d. Andrew Franklin said: "We’re thrilled that Mark and Duncan will be joining us. Two of the most dynamic editors in the industry come to one of the most dynamic publishers: it’s a good fit. We are convinced we can publish these books well—and profitably—but the purpose is not just financial. We at Profile are personally highly committed to the green idea. Globally, few subject areas are more pressing and there is a real need for incisive writing in the field. Incidentally Mark and Duncan will help us sharpen our internal operations too."

Clark is an editor and author specialising in environmental issues. His own books include The Rough Guide to Ethical Living. He is also a consultant editor at BBC Worldwide, an advisor to rainforest charity Cool Earth and owner of a low-energy light-bulb business.

He added: "This is a superb opportunity—both for Profile and for Mark and myself—to do groundbreaking publishing around some of the most important issues of our day. The environment is no longer a niche interest; it’s a key priority in every aspect of society. GreenProfile will reflect this with top-class books aimed at large audiences. I can't think of a better place to be setting up this imprint than Profile, a fantastic, fast-moving independent run by people with strong environmental convictions."

Penguin Profile Alison Flood Mark Ellingham Rough Guides