John Packard

John Packard is a seasoned publishing professional with extensive experience in the children's and entertainment sectors. Currently serving as Publishing Director at HarperCollins Publishers since March 2020, John oversees the Farshore imprint dedicated to children’s books and the Expanse imprint focusing on older audiences tied to major gaming, TV, and film properties. Prior to this role, John was the Publishing Director and Publisher at Egmont Publishing UK from June 2012 to March 2020, managing key brands such as Star Wars, Minecraft, and Lego. Additional professional experience includes roles as Brand Manager and Brand Project Manager, as well as positions at Borders, where John progressed from Children's Assistant Buyer to Senior Buyer for Non-Fiction and Children's Books. John's educational background includes a Chartered Management Institute accreditation in Leadership, an MA in European Fine Art from the University of Southampton, and a BA Hons in Art and Art History from Aberystwyth University.