Rachel Claire Sangster
Repton,Derbyshire
Summary
Accomplished and driven publishing leader with a successful track record in building publishing programmes. Specialised in strategic growth, building stakeholder relationships and delivering measurable results that strengthen market position and advance organisational goals. Substantial experience managing teams and budgets. Europe, Asia and US experience.
Overview
25
25
years of professional experience
Work History
Academic Publications Manager
British Psychological Society
Leicester
12.2022 - Current
- Strategic growth and development of the BPS journals portfolio and books programme, member network periodicals, and other research-related resources to advance the discipline. Built on data-informed decision making and integrity.
- Outlined primary duties in the role.
- Liaised with publishing stakeholders and BPS governance to implement strategic vision and journal development plans;
- Drove sustainable growth in market share and recruited editors to future-proof publishing programme;
- To design an open access journal launch strategy;
- Championed BPS commitment to open science, research integrity, and EDI initiatives.
- Key achievements:
- 32% growth in published journal output and launched the BPSs first new (open access) journal for 19 years;
- Led RFP and successfully negotiated Wiley contract renewal for improved financial and operational terms;
- Designed and implemented a new EDI Publications Framework.
Communications Advisor
Cognita Schools
Zurich
01.2020 - 11.2022
- Joined central marketing and communications team at UK's largest independent schools group while relocating to Switzerland due to husband's career.
Global Head of Economics & Finance | Publisher Economics
Palgrave Macmillan
London
07.2014 - 11.2019
- Led strategy and managed budgets for the global Economic & Finance books team, with oversight for the companion journals portfolio. Directly commissioned for the Economics books list. Managed a team of eight across the UK, US and India.
- Key responsibilities:
- Grew revenue and market share through data analytics and product diversification.
- Maintained heritage and reputation of a list dating back to 1861 by publishing ground-breaking content and high-profile authors.
- Key achievements:
- Grew total list by 75% to c. 300 titles/year and Professional Finance list by 32% to c. 30 titles/year;
- Achieved publication of the first open access book in the Economics, Finance, Business and Management division.
Associate Journals Publisher
Asia, Taylor & Francis
07.2011 - 06.2014
- Led journals commissioning and business development across all subject disciplines in mainland China and Hong Kong, expanding T&F's reach and reputation in this region.
- Key responsibilities:
- To build the journals business through acquisition and launch, preparing proposals and negotiating contracts;
- Navigated national research trends for regional and head offices, engaging with core industry figures to elevate T&F's profile with leading research institutes.
- Key achievements:
- Achieved 21% revenue growth and added ten new journals to the list.
- Secured highest journal market share for the Routledge imprint in Hong Kong;
Publisher | Environment, Agriculture & Veterinary Science Journals
Taylor & Francis
, Oxfordshire
05.2007 - 04.2011
- Alongside the Editorial Director grew the UK list by 17 new titles (acquisitions and launch). Held direct management for 15 journals and line managed a team of three.
Secondment - Journals Publisher
Asia Pacific, Taylor & Francis
02.2009 - 12.2010
- Led T&Fs editorial expansion into Asia Pacific (China, Japan, Korea, Taiwan, Singapore, and Hong Kong), overseeing a multidisciplinary journals portfolio. Line managed a growing team to support growth.
- Key responsibilities:
- Oversaw financial performance, programme growth, and contract retention for regional portfolio;
- Established and integrated editorial systems, workflows, and standards in line with head office policy;
- Identified high output research areas for collaboration.
- Key achievements:
- 194% revenue growth;
- Grew regional journals list by ten new titles.
Acting Publisher | Behavioural Science and Mental Health Journals
Taylor & Francis
, Oxfordshire
08.2006 - 05.2007
- Launched ten new titles, including T&F's most successful 2006 launch, Global Public Health, in a high growth area where over 40% of the portfolio was society-owned.
Managing Editor | Bioscience Journals
Taylor & Francis
, Oxfordshire
03.2003 - 08.2006
Publishing Editor | Medical, Health & Life Science Journals
Taylor & Francis
, Oxfordshire
06.2001 - 03.2003
Education
Bachelor of Arts (Hons) - English Literature
University of Wales, Aberystwyth
06-2001
A-levels - English B; Geography B; Chemistry D; General Studies C
George Ward School
Melksham, Wiltshire06-1998
Skills
- Strategic Management
- Thinks expansively to evaluate options, develop recommendations, and deliver goals
- Able to think creatively, problem-solve, identify opportunities and react accordingly
- Capable of distilling vast amounts of information to extract the salient points
- Project Management
- Highly organised at managing time, communication and multiple projects simultaneously and to deadlines
- Aligns portfolio strategy to organisational goals, generating actionable objectives
- Clear understanding of the financial viability of projects, effective resourcing and cost management
- Proven track record of generating results whether working autonomously or as part of a team
- Leadership
- Understands the importance of a personable manner and building meaningful networks and relationships
- Experienced in direct line management, professional development and fostering an inclusive environment
- Flexible and thoughtful when resolving problems to achieve a satisfactory outcome for all parties
- Communication
- Strong capacity for communicating to a variety of audiences in written, verbal and presentational form
- Confident in communicating information clearly and effectively, across language and cultural barriers
- Uses tact, diplomacy and persuasive negotiating skills to achieve desired results
REFEREES
References available upon request.
Timeline
Academic Publications Manager
British Psychological Society
12.2022 - Current
Communications Advisor
Cognita Schools
01.2020 - 11.2022
Global Head of Economics & Finance | Publisher Economics
Palgrave Macmillan
07.2014 - 11.2019
Associate Journals Publisher
Asia, Taylor & Francis
07.2011 - 06.2014
Secondment - Journals Publisher
Asia Pacific, Taylor & Francis
02.2009 - 12.2010
Publisher | Environment, Agriculture & Veterinary Science Journals
Taylor & Francis
05.2007 - 04.2011
Acting Publisher | Behavioural Science and Mental Health Journals
Taylor & Francis
08.2006 - 05.2007
Managing Editor | Bioscience Journals
Taylor & Francis
03.2003 - 08.2006
Publishing Editor | Medical, Health & Life Science Journals
Taylor & Francis
06.2001 - 03.2003
Bachelor of Arts (Hons) - English Literature
University of Wales, Aberystwyth
A-levels - English B; Geography B; Chemistry D; General Studies C
George Ward School