After reading a piece in The Bookseller last September about John Murray Press launching a new business imprint, my ears were well and truly pricked. On further investigation, and seeing some of the titles soon to come like 100 Ways to Win, 180 Business Hacks and The 4 Jobs Club, we decided to have a chat with the JMB team and find out more. 

Building on the prestigious legacy of the John Murray name, synonymous with thought-provoking, high-quality publishing, this new imprint brings together a carefully curated list of titles from visionary thinkers, entrepreneurs, and change-makers. Whether you're leading a team, building a business, or simply curious about what’s shaping the future,  read on to find out more as John Murray Business might just be your go-to source for business books that make a difference.

It’s an exciting time for your imprint with a new name, and a new look, tell us all about it please.

Gladly! It’s definitely been a bit of a journey. We started life as indie publisher Nicholas Brealey Publishing, and after our acquisition by Hachette, gently evolved into NB Publishing (there may have been some legal wranglings involved!). And now, here we are!

Towards the end of 2024, we felt it was time for a rebrand that better captured who we are today and clearly communicated our offer to readers. We’re proudly part of John Murray Press, firmly focused on business and business-adjacent publishing, and thus - hey presto! - John Murray Business was born. There was a bit more nuance involved behind the scenes, but ultimately, we embraced simplicity with our branding, following the timeless KISS principle (Keep It Simple, Stupid!).

Our new ‘step-up’ logo, created by our brilliant Deputy Art Director, Bekki Guyatt, boldly reflects our ethos. It cleverly represents both the progression readers can achieve through our books and the idea of filling that missing piece of knowledge they’re looking for.

Who is John Murray Business and what do you stand for?

We publish big ideas and practical wisdom to help inclusive, globally-minded professionals and organisations confidently navigate future challenges and achieve long-term success.

Building on John Murray Press’s 250 years of publishing influential economic thinkers (including Thomas Malthus, David Ricardo and John Ruskin) John Murray Business publishes the smart thinkers, trusted experts, industry leaders, and entrepreneurs who shape the way we work today.

Describe JMB in three words.

Global, Trusted, Cutting-edge (yes, we’re counting the hyphen!)

What’s your editorial ethos and what are the criteria for selecting titles that reflect your vision?

We're all about helping ambitious professionals get ahead in their work and life. Our view is the best people to learn from are those who’ve done it themselves; so fundamentally we look for advice, stories and insights from brilliant people. Or sometimes the companies or organisations developing those brilliant people. If our authors or organisations already engage significant audiences, even better - this helps us reach and empower even more readers.

So which titles were your 2024 highlights and why do you think that was?

Our Future is Biotech was undoubtedly a highlight. Andrew Craig has such infectious optimism and looks at the world slightly askance, which makes for some fascinating insights. He has the uncanny knack of making you understand the world a little better.

The 0.1% Academy also stood out, Gareth Timmins’ unique transition from Royal Marines Commando to behavioural scientist gives him a nuanced take on resilience and mindset, making for a genuinely compelling read, applicable to all walks of life.

And we must mention The Journey of Leadership, published in collaboration with McKinsey & Company, distilling invaluable leadership insights from over 500 global CEOs - a remarkable addition to the leadership literature.

Talk us through a selection of your titles that you’re excited about for 2025.

It's a bit like being asked to choose your favourite pet - but here we go anyway!

The Fractured Age by Neil Shearing, Group Chief Economist at Capital Economics, promises to be a vital read in 2025. Offering an authoritative forecast on how the emerging geopolitical landscape will reshape global economics. Timely doesn’t begin to describe it, it’s essential reading in these uncertain times.

We’re also excited about The Power to Change by Chuck Chakrapani. Grounded in Stoic principles, this book offers bite-sized, actionable advice to overcome everyday challenges, from anxiety and self-sabotage to productivity and resilience.

Another standout is The Slingshot Formula. Pascal Clarysse delivers an exclusive behind-the-scenes look at how Angry Birds became the most successful mobile game in history. With interviews from over 30 key insiders, including the original creators and top executives, this book will provide entertainment as well as valuable entrepreneurial insights.

Which titles from your backlist have been your absolute favourites, or best sellers?

What would John Murray Business be without Coaching for Performance? It’s an industry cornerstone, selling over a million copies worldwide and countless careers transformed - we’re incredibly proud to publish it.

Other favourites like TED Talks and The 80/20 Principle continue to inspire readers year after year. More recently, Jordan Belfort’s The Wolf of Investing and The Way of The Wolf have been hugely successful. There are plenty more gems - do explore our website to discover them!

Have you got a highlight from your time at JMB?

Celebrating author successes and awards is always a thrill - it’s a powerful feeling, a heady mix of pride and validation. Special congratulations to award-winning authors Fiona Murden, Jonathan MacDonald, Zena Everett, and Sophie Rochester (and sincere apologies if we missed anyone!).

Who would you invite to your dream literary party?

We're less about literary parties and more about purposeful gatherings - events where we can solve problems, learn something meaningful, and connect with like-minded people. That said, we wouldn’t object if Steven Bartlett happened to join us - and of course, good nibbles are still a must!

Tell us a secret about books…

A book can be the start of something much bigger. Reading the right advice at the right moment in your life or career can transform a decision, spur an idea or give you the confidence to try something you’ve only ever dreamed of. We like to think our books have seeded many a success story in our readers’ lives. 

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