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The Publishers Association has appointed a new head of public affairs, Gemma Hersh. Meanwhile Mike Richards, head of marketing and publicity at Egmont Press, has taken up the role of chairman of its Children's Book Group.
Hersh previously worked in the civil service, including at the Department for Culture, Media and Sport, before joining the Association for UK Interactive Entertainment as Public Affairs and Policy Officer in 2010. She succeeds Emily Cleevely who is now freelance.
PA c.e.o. Richard Mollet said: "Gemma brings extensive experience of working with political audiences, together with a well-honed understanding of the major policy issues facing publishing and the creative industries generally. Communicating publishers' interests to political and media audiences is perhaps the most important role the Publishers Association plays for its members and Gemma is going to be an important part of our achieving that."
Richards was previously vice-chair of the Children's Book Group, and will become chair from January 2012. Walker Books head of sales Kate Beal will become the new vice-chair, with Francesca Dow, m.d. of Penguin Children's Books and previously chair of the group, continuing as chair of the less frequent heads of children's publishing meetings.
Richards said: "The PA Children's Book Group has long been one of the publishing's best forums for addressing the industry's biggest issues, delivering a cohesive, coordinated approach from virtually all of the major children's book publishers . . . I look forward to chairing the group, which I hope will broaden out to include more editorial expertise over time."