Meet our agents

Our agents are always actively looking for promising new writers and established talent to represent.

But why choose us?

You can be sure that every agent at The Blair Partnership is dynamic, entrepreneurial and well connected. We all have the relationships, expertise and experience you’ll need to successfully navigate the world of publishing.

Whoever represents you will work with the utmost integrity and will be as warm and personable as they are commercially astute.

Working with your agent

We believe the Agent/Client relationship is more than just a business partnership.

Your agent is your champion, sounding board and guide. They will help shape your story editorially, so it’s as creatively impactful as possible, and will always focus on what’s in your best long-term interest.

If you’d like to submit work to one of our agents, please read our submissions page and the relevant agent’s page first.

Rory Scarfe

Managing Director, Client Management

I represent clients across commercial fiction, children’s fiction and non-fiction, as well as screenwriters and brands. With valuable previous experience working as a senior publisher, I have a deep and pragmatic understanding of what discerning editors want to see from our clients’ manuscripts. Before joining The Blair Partnership, I spent four years at Furniss Lawton/ James Grant. I’ve also headed up the Sport list at HarperCollins and been a publisher at Simon & Schuster. My submissions are currently closed. Please instead direct your submission to either Hattie, Rachel or Jordan.

Hattie Grünewald

Agent

I represent commercial and upmarket fiction, including women’s fiction, crime and thriller, historical and book club fiction. I also represent some non-fiction in the areas of lifestyle and personal development.

Before joining the Blair Partnership, I spent six years at Blake Friedmann Agency. In 2020, I was a Bookseller Rising Star and the Romantic Novelists’ Association Agent of the Year.

Rachel Petty

Agent

I represent children’s fiction and non-fiction, from picture books up to YA and crossover.

Before joining The Blair Partnership I was editorial director at Macmillan Children’s Books, working with authors such as Frances Hardinge, Chris Riddell and Tomi Adeyemi.

Jordan Lees

Agent

I represent crime and thrillers, upmarket/literary fiction, some children’s fiction, as well as true crime and smart non-fiction written by journalists and experts in their respective fields.

Bea Fitzgerald

Agent

I am seeking to find, champion and support proven digital talent and source opportunities in a digital landscape for clients of The Blair Partnership.

I am primarily looking to represent clients with a strong digital presence, across platforms, who can translate such talents into the literary world and beyond. I am also looking for trend-focused writing reflective of current cultural and media interests – whether it’s the latest Netflix documentary going viral, film everyone is talking about or podcast you can’t stop listening to.

Adam Reed

Brand Development

I help clients build their brands by collaborating with partners in TV, Film, brand partnerships and live engagements. I have previously worked at Disney, Penguin, Save the Children and Nickelodeon.

Rhian Parry

Agency Assistant

As the Agency Assistant, I provide support to TBP agents and their authors, from administrative duties to editorial feedback. I also handle audio rights and help agents track market trends and scout potential authors to represent.

I enjoy reading commercial and upmarket fiction, particularly anything queer or female-focused. I also have an interest in books centred around mental health and neurodivergence, be that fiction or non-fiction. Above all else, I’m an unapologetic romcom enthusiast and Florence + The Machine fangirl.

Shafah Hanif

PA to Agency Director

As Rory’s PA, my priority is to keep him optimally organised. I occasionally manage commercial deals for clients. I also work very closely with Adam on speaking engagements and support the wider team when required

Michelle Gayle

Agent-at-Large

I played Fiona Wilson in Grange Hill. I then went on to play Hattie Tavernier in Eastenders for four years, before signing a record deal with BMG, achieving six top 20 hits and selling a million records, “Sweetness” being the biggest hit. Both of my albums resulted in nominations for a Brit award in the Best British Female category. I have written for Wolfblood (BBC) and A Discovery of Witches (Sky) and have a number of projects in development for TV. I am passionate about telling stories that depict the struggles of women, minorities and the working class.

I am currently playing Hermione Granger in the multi award winning play Harry Potter and the Cursed Child.

Maajid Nawaz

Agent-at-Large

I am a civil liberties campaigner, writer & broadcaster. RADICAL, my memoir, has been released as a second edition in the UK and is published internationally. My second book is a collaboration with the leading atheist thinker Sam Harris, called “Islam & the Future of Tolerance”. This second book was also made into a documentary film.

James Drake

Publishing Advisor

I am Founder and Chairman of Future Science Group (FSG), a publishing house focusing on breakthrough medical and biotechnological research.

I am Chairman of The Drake Foundation, which seeks to understand and improve long-term brain health for professional athletes and wider society. The Foundation has invested over £2 million in research and resources.

I co-founded The Drake Calleja Trust, a charity which supports young classical musicians and the Drake YolanDa Award for non-classical musicians.