Compass Independent Publishing Services Board

Alan has worked in the UK academic book trade for nearly forty years and is a high profile and highly-respected figure within the industry. His career has included senior management roles in both bookselling and publishing sales with Blackwell’s, Dundee University Press, Hammicks, John Smith’s, and Routledge, giving him a unique experience of the academic market and a wide network of professional contacts.

Simon joined Compass at the end of 2017. His career in publishing sales spans over twenty-five years since he first started working as a merchandiser and was then recruited by Alan Jessop to the Reed sales team. Simon has a consistent record of achievement in general trade publishing and extensive customer contacts across all the channels. His experience includes senior roles at HarperCollins, Conran, Phaidon and Carlton.

Lee began his career in 1992 as a bookseller at Heffers in Cambridge before becoming a sales representative with Routledge. In 1999, he moved to Sage as UK and International Sales Manager with responsibility for all global markets and sales activities excluding the US. Lee joined Compass Academic as Head of Sales when it was first created in 2004. When not working Lee enjoys time with his family and supporting his beloved Manchester United.

Joanne Macleod joined Compass Academic in 2010, becoming Finance Director of Compass Independent Publishing Services in 2013. Joanne trained with KPMG and then moved into in the property sector. She is also the Financial Director of Birlinn Ltd and is the current chairperson of Scottish Booksource Ltd. In her free time, she enjoys watching her two boys play football, is a keen runner and loves reading.

Alan founded Compass in 1998. Previously he was Group Sales Director at Reed Books and has also worked in various senior sales capacities at HarperCollins, beginning his publishing career there as a rep for Granada. He is a very well-known and well-liked industry figure, and when not attending publishing parties he is to be found singing the Blues at Stamford Bridge. He took a step back from the business in 2017 due to ill health.

Hugh is one of the founder members of Compass. He started his career with James Thin, moved on to manage a branch of Hatchards and then set up a freelance sales agency (Seol Ltd) in Scotland in 1990. Hugh also runs the highly regarded independent publishing house, Birlinn Ltd, which includes the fiction and poetry imprint Polygon, Arena Sport and Nicolson Maps. Birlinn recently won the Saltire Society Publisher of the Year.

Edwin has been in publishing sales since 1983. His close working relationship with Alan Jessop, while at Reed Books led to him becoming one of the founder members of Compass. Edwin is also Publisher of New Island Books, which is Ireland's leading independent publisher originating such international bestsellers as Joseph O'Connor's The Secret World of the Irish Male and Nuala O'Faolain's memoir Are You Somebody?