Perminder Mann appointed CEO of publisher Simon & Schuster International

“It’s been rewarding to engage with City St George’s publishing students, exchange ideas, and see the next generation of publishing talent emerge,” said Perminder Mann, who was appointed the CEO of Simon & Schuster International.

She was named an Honorary Visiting Professor in Publishing Studies at City St George’s in January 2024 to serve as a role model for its publishing students.

In the year since, she has supported research programmes, provided students with insights into the contemporary publishing landscape and offered expert advice on policy matters. She said:

Working with City St George’s Publishing academics and students has been an absolute pleasure.

Their passion, curiosity, and fresh perspectives are truly inspiring.

Perminder has been a truly valued presence in our Department, graciously and generously giving her time to help our Publishing students understand the industry and what it takes to be successful.

She has inspired our students and gone the extra mile to advise them in their professional aspirations. She is a fantastic role model for our students, it’s been a joy for our department to work with her closely.

To have our Honorary Professor be the CEO at a ‘Big Five’ publisher brings City St George’s into the top boardrooms of the industry worldwide.

Our students will benefit from the first-hand knowledge of how publishing works – and where it is heading in the digital, multimedia age.

One of the most remarkable aspects of Perminder is how personable and grounded she is – despite being a truly world-leading publishing executive.

It’s clear from watching her speak to students that her passion for publishing comes from deep convictions about the power of storytelling that she has had all her life. Her speaking openly about how her family background inspired her love for books shows such an authentic leadership.

Taking up this new role is incredibly exciting and a true privilege. I feel deeply honoured to be joining Simon & Schuster International at such a dynamic time for the industry.

My goal is to continue building on its incredible legacy while exploring new opportunities for growth, innovation, and collaboration.

I want to ensure we are reaching as many readers as possible while championing diverse voices and storytelling from around the world.

My biggest piece of advice is to stay curious, be persistent, and say yes to opportunities—even the ones that might not seem like your ideal role at first.

The industry is constantly evolving, and there are so many ways to carve out a path.

Build your network, gain as much experience as possible, and most importantly, never lose sight of your passion for books and storytelling.