David Fickling is a publisher of children's books, now at the helm of independent publishing company, David Fickling Books. For nearly twelve years he ran the company as an imprint, first as part of Scholastic, then of Random House.

Over the years David has published some extraordinary books. In his first job at Oxford University Press he signed up Philip Pullman's The Ruby in the Smoke, and has published Philip's books ever since, including the multi-million selling His Dark Materials trilogy. Later he set up Doubleday's program of original children's books: the launch list included Philip Pullman and Jacqueline Wilson (whom David teamed up with artist Nick Sharratt). David is the man behind both the Goosebumps and Horrible Histories phenomenon, he remembers being told kids don’t like history! In more recent years he published Mark Haddon’s The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-time (bestseller and award winning play) and John Boyne’s The Boy in the Striped Pyjamas, Jenny Downham’s Before I Die and Andy Mulligan’s Trash – all international bestsellers and big time Hollywood movies.

In 2012 he launched a weekly story comic for children called The Phoenix, filled with beautiful and original artwork, exciting stories and featuring no advertising. David Fickling Books works closely with The Phoenix, sharing a mission to create stories and excitement for all children.

Liz joined DFB in 2020 after nearly 20 years at OUP Children’s Books, having previously worked at Walker Books and Scholastic Children’s Books. She is responsible for leading the company both commercially and creatively, and is passionate about working with the DFB team to keep publishing a wide range of books to delight and enthral all kinds of readers. Outside the office, Liz loves running in forests, swimming in lakes, and trying her best to outdo the contestants on TV quiz shows.

Dan is DFB’s Finance Director and Chief Operating Officer. Unlike the rest of the team, his days are spent looking at spreadsheets, but outside of work he loves to read and cook. Before working at DFB, Dan quit a stable career to run off and set up two restaurants. He is now in recovery...

Kelly comes from a finance background and initially started working with DFB back in 2018. She recently rejoined the team as Operations Manager where she ensures the smooth running of operations across the company and regularly assists Dan in looking at a fancy spreadsheet!

Kelly loves all things vintage, getting lost in a good book, crocheting, and whipping up a good culinary delight (which doesn't always go to plan!).

Fraser has been working in publishing for over 15 years, with marketing roles at publishers including Oxford Children’s Books. Latterly he has headed up departments at both The Reading Agency, working to bring the publishing and library sectors closer together, and Creative Access, working to make the publishing industry more diverse and inclusive. In 2021 he was listed as one of The Bookseller’s Rising Stars.

Bronwen joined DFB in July 2015 after nearly 22 years at Random House Children's Books. She started her career there at a very young age of course and in that time developed a pretty good understanding of the rights business. She has a particular passion for stories, illustration and design so feels very lucky to have landed at DFB. Her cat Jeff, another passion, often assists her during the day.

Phil has proudly worked at DFB since its inception as an independent publisher, having worked previously with David at Random House Children’s Books. He has also worked at Simon and Schuster and Bloomsbury Children’s Books. Phil is also a best-selling writer for children, with over 20 books published. He has a passion for cycling, and when he isn’t working, can generally be found filling the dishwasher or walking the dogs.

Alison has worked as a designer for more years than she cares to remember but suffice to say there were no computers at her university when she completed her degree in graphic design. She started working with David at Scholastic where she was Art Director and designed amongst other things the series approach for Point Horror, Goosebumps, Horrible Histories and the Carnegie-winning Northern Lights by Philip Pullman. Alison then went on to be Art Director at Egmont and Random House where she was delighted to be working back with David.

She is now freelance and works at her computer until her 2 dogs tell her twice a day its time to go for a walk. 

Rachel began her career in book production at Basil Blackwell back in the mists of time. Long stints in academic publishing at OUP and Taylor & Francis followed. At DFB, her great delight is that she actually understands, and enjoys reading, the books she is printing (and reprinting !) Outside work, she and her husband Giles enjoy eating out, visiting historic theatre buildings, and sampling life on the high (but preferably not too rough) seas, trying out different cruise ships - 36, or is it 37, of them so far…

Kathy has worked in children's publishing for over thirty years and after many years at OUP she now runs her own freelance business specialising in children's books which she juggles with her part-time role of Editorial Manager at DFB. This is the perfect mix as she can combine editorial management and creative work throughout her week!

When she's not working, Kathy enjoys spending time with family and friends (and her cats, Eric and Rio!), reading, going to music and comedy gigs, listening to podcasts and cooking.

Anthony is both Commissioning Editor at David Fickling Books and part of the team at The Phoenix Comic, where he edits the comic books produced through the DFB/Phoenix partnership, including Jamie Smart's number 1 bestselling Bunny vs Monkey, Neill Cameron's Mega Robo Bros, Laura Ellen Anderson's Evil Emperor Penguin, Adam and Lisa Murphy's Corpse Talk and many more.

He has been part of DFB since the beginning of its independent publishing, and has edited many books of children's and YA prose fiction - and non-fiction - working with writers including the Carnegie-shortlisted Candy Gourlay, the YA-prize shortlisted Melinda Salisbury, and the legendary Anne Fine, and was himself shortlisted for the Branford Boase Award for editing the late Tony Mitton's Potter's Boy. He is also an occasional writer for The Phoenix comic, including on their choose-your-own-adventure series Fates and Fortunes.

Rosie loves stories and people, and so working with some of the most inspiring and passionate authors, illustrators and designers to bring their visions to life is a lot of fun. She especially enjoys thinking about all the individual parts of the final book – the typography, space, paper etc. – and collaboratively coming up with ways to make the whole so much more than its pieces. In her spare time she likes going on real world adventures, travelling to far flung places, hiking, running, dancing and doing a lot of yoga.

Meggie has worked at DFB since 2018, when she was DFB's PR intern. She loves all parts of the editorial process, from big-picture story discussions, to the detail of layouts and proof-reading. Her first solo acquisition, Badgers Are Go! by Susannah Lloyd & Nici Gregory, was longlisted for the Branford Boase Award, and she has co-edited authors including Jenny Downham, Philip Reeve & Sarah McIntyre, and Jamie Smart.

When she's not working, Meggie loves exploring new (and old) bookshops and libraries, getting excited about musical theatre, and swimming in the sea.

Ruth has worked in marketing for the past 6 years, from her first job at a small 2-screen cinema in Oxford to the academic publishing world of OUP.

A love for children’s books and comics has been a constant in her life, with fond memories of curling up on cold nights with a copy of Varjak Paw or Tintin.

Outside of work, you can find her dog walking, eating some quality beige food, listening to music and of late, paddle boarding!

Lara joined DFB in May 2025 after graduating from the University of St Andrews with a degree in Ancient History.

She gained her first work experience in marketing from Penguin Random House, where she discovered her passion for publishing.

A lifelong lover of children’s literature, Lara is dedicated to encouraging a culture of reading to nurture children’s imagination, development, and well-being! When she’s not surrounded by books, she can usually be found strolling through hidden corners of the countryside.

Emily joined DFB in November 2024 after graduating from Durham University with a degree in History. She has always nurtured a love for children’s books and is especially proud to be working alongside the man who produced the Horrible Histories series, some of her most treasured childhood books.

Outside of the office, Emily enjoys exploring some of Europe’s hidden gems with her friends, where she takes sampling the local coffee and pastries very seriously. She also has a weakness for romantasy fiction, which she reads exhaustively on her commute into work.

Caro worked in the NHS for 32 years as a nurse, health visitor, manager and finally child health policy lead. Other roles she has held include 10 years as Chair of Pegasus Youth Theatre Trust, NHS consultant/project manager and Chief Executive of a national anti-childhood obesity charity. 

Caro has taken all of this experience, and her passion for the happiness and wellbeing of children everywhere, and applied it to the smooth set-up, running and operation of both The Phoenix and David Fickling Books. It has been a joy to both have a part in and watch the companies flourish.

Luca joined DFB and The Phoenix in 2025. 

He loves to read and stare gog-eyed at art, so a job that helps give both to the world makes him happy. 

Outside of work you’ll find him in Brighton with his friends; all-day wandering, journalling, and drinking coffee.

Asimina studied Illustration Animation at Kingston School of Art, where she independently published and distributed her own comic series, Twerp! Having grown up reading The Phoenix, she’s delighted to now be part of the team, coming full circle from her early days of making comics. She loves collecting all kinds of curious things, from Garbage Pail Kid cards to Kewpie dolls, and her shelves are packed with small press comics.