Queen Rewards Children's Book Publisher for Astonishing Performance

Independent Publisher Igloo Books is incredibly proud to have just received the UK's most prestigious award for business performance, as announced on Her Majesty the Queen's birthday. The Queens Award for Enterprise in the International Trade category reflects the consistent increase in business internationally with compound growth of over 50% over the past 4 years.

Igloo is a leading publisher of childrens books to the mass market in the UK and around the world. The company was featured in the Sunday Times Fast Track awards last year as the 68th Fastest Growing Company in the UK. Now employing 65 people, the company grew turnover 45% in 2010/11. A privately owned company, Igloo has been in business for 7 years. The Northamptonshire based company has experienced good growth across the board since its inception in 2003. Igloo Books are available in 29 languages with main markets being North America, Australasia, France, Spain, Germany, South America, and Scandinavia to name but a few.

The on-going growth at Igloo has meant great changes over the past 2 years. 34 new employees in the past 2 years is just the start with many new positions currently being advertised. The publishing team itself has grown from 5 to 15 in recent months with more of the 250 new titles per year being commissioned in-house. However the diversity sought by Igloo's customers means that a lot of talented 3rd party creative teams are also used from around the country. With an origination budget of £1 million, Igloo produces more new books for children than most well-known publishing houses, generally based in London. At recent book fairs, in Bologna and London, the Igloo stand was packed with the international partners clamouring to secure the rights to the new titles coming over the next 18 months or so.

John Styring, MD and co-founder of Igloo, is aware of the opportunities thrown up by the internet and new media:

"…the internet has transformed book sales over the past 5 years and will continue to do so. Igloo Books are now available through well-known internet sites such as Amazon and we have recently launched the Igloo website."

So with the prestigious Queen's Award for Enterprise now proudly in their hands, what's next for Igloo Books? The company is currently implementing a business system to cope with the increased orders and purchasing required by the huge demand for Igloo Books around the world. Never one to stand still, they also plan some exciting new products in 2011, including an exclusive new range of the popular children's licence, 'Humf' to join other classics such as Humphreys Corner and a terrific new title called 'The Baking Fairy', written by Matt Townsend, the renowned gay chef!