MIT Press news

The University Press Group welcomes new Managing Director

The University Press Group (US) Limited (UPG) will welcome Simon Gwynn as managing director on November 5th. In this role, he will lead an international team of sales professionals and coordinate international sales support for the University of California Press, Columbia University Press, the MIT Press and Princeton University Press in Europe, Africa, the Middle East and South Asia.

Gwynn is currently group publisher at Ivy Press, Ivy Kids and Leaping Hare Press, imprints of the Quarto Group. Joining Ivy Press in 2013, he successfully oversaw the growth of the business and through its acquisition by Quarto in 2015. Previously, he held various sales roles at Laurence King Publishing, Phaidon Press and Thames and Hudson. Gwynn regularly collaborated with university presses during his tenure at Ivy Press, and his new position with UPG will provide opportunities to expand these partnerships exponentially.

“Simon is joining UPG at a pivotal time,” said Amy Brand, director of the MIT Press and chair of the UPG Board. “His extensive experience and leadership in international sales and business development will help drive growth and innovation.”

“I am excited at the prospect of working with such diverse and interesting lists of books. UPG has an excellent and experienced team in place and I look forward to building on these strong foundations to expand the presence of the presses in the key markets,” Gwynn said. 

About the University Press Group Limited

The University Press Group (UPG), a joint sales representation agency of the University of California Press, Columbia University Press, the MIT Press and Princeton University Press, manages trade, academic, and text sales in the UK, Continental Europe, Eire, India, Pakistan, the Middle East, Israel, and Africa.   

Media inquiries: Jessica Pellien, pellien@mit.edu