Helen McAleer joined Walker Books UK as MD in 2006 to focus on building Walker UK’s reputation as a forward looking company, geared towards acquisition and management of multiple rights, and to oversee development of the digital publishing strategy. Devising a multi-platform strategy to help deliver Walker IP to new audiences, she set up and became MD of Walker Productions within her first year. Walker Productions has gone on to co-produce and develop several projects over recent years including Henry Hugglemonster for Disney Junior, CBeebies commission Tilly and Friends, CITV commission Fleabag Monkeyface and two series of the popular live action comedy Hank Zipzer for CBBC. Helen was an Executive Producer for both Tilly and Friends and Hank Zipzer.

Committed to building new partnerships and growth opportunities for the business she became the chief global development officer for the Walker Group in 2011, tasked with leading a global team responsible for shaping the Walker Group companies (UK, US, and Aus/NZ) and their properties and products in the development, exploitation, marketing, and sale of auxiliary media rights. As CGDO Helen also supervises all licensing activity across Walker brands as well as the global publishing team for media tie-in imprints Walker Entertainment in the UK and Candlewick Entertainment in the US.  

Helen left her post as Deputy MD at BBC Worldwide to join Walker Books. Prior to the BBC she worked in publishing for many years across a number of roles at Penguin’s children’s division, Puffin and Random House.

ABOUT THE WALKER BOOKS GROUP

The Walker Books Group is one of the world’s leading independent publishers of books and content for children. This vibrant international group includes Walker Books UK, London; Candlewick Press, Somerville, Massachusetts; and Walker Books Australia, based in Sydney and Auckland. Renowned for its truly original publishing and outstanding quality, the Walker Books Group is home to books for readers of all ages. Award-winning authors and illustrators for the group include National Ambassador for Children's Literature, Kate DiCamillo, M.T Anderson, Patrick Ness, and Jon Klassen, and major brands for the group are Maisy, Guess How Much I Love You, Tilly and Friends, the widely acclaimed Judy Moody and the bestselling Where’s Wally/Where’s Waldo.

Further information can be found at www.candlewick.com, www.walker.co.uk, and www.walkerbooks.com.au

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