Meet our team
Martin West
Founder, head of publishing, editor
Martin began his long career in children’s books at Oxford University Press and Blackie before launching his own list, Happy Cat Books. In 2005 he founded Catnip Publishing which was shortlisted for Independent Children's Publisher of the Year in 2006. Martin later joined Ragged Bears in 2009 before launching Troika in 2013.
Based in Essex, Martin’s a keen runner but equally enjoys late nights at book fairs with friends old and new over a glass of sauvignon blanc or three.
Roy Johnson
Commercial director, editor
Roy has a long career with a raft of leading publishers including Oxford University Press, Thames & Hudson, Laurence King, Frances Lincoln, Orchard Books and Ragged Bears. As well as now being co-owner of Troika he’s also the founder of Kid Gloves, an agency that works with small independent children's publishers to provide direction and support in all aspects of editorial and commercial development.
Roy’s based in Bath and his voice is no doubt the one you’ll hear most often when working with Troika.
Petula Chaplin
Freelance rights agent
Petula is our go-to expert for all things rights-related. She’s been selling and negotiating English language and translation rights in the children's book industry for more than 25 years and, boy, does she know her stuff.
Petula lives in Devon, where she enjoys working on other skills and talents including cider making and home renovation.
Shauna Darling Robertson
Web content manager, occasional assistant editor
Shauna’s a freelance marketing consultant, copywriter and editor, as well as being a poet. She works on our website, pitches in with a bit of book editing and is also one of our authors.
Shauna’s originally from Northumberland and currently lives in Somerset.
Sarah Pyke
Freelance designer
Sarah has a pile of experience designing both adult and children’s books. She’s describes herself as “a playful and versatile designer, always striving to find the best and most appropriate visual solution to a brief”.
Sarah’s also a keen photographer. She’s based near London.
Wendy Mach
Freelance Designer
Wendy is a graduate of City University's Publishing Masters programme. A lover of cats, design and spreadsheets, Wendy lives a double life in freelance marketing while her passions lie with design and production.
Originally from Essex, Wendy is now based in Surrey. She can be found on Bookstagram @wendys.books.bujo or hanging out in a coffee shop near you.
Louise Millar
Freelance Designer
Louise has been a freelance book designer for about 20 years and works on a wide range of titles – both children’s and adults’, fiction and non-fiction. She’s had the joy of working with some of the most well-loved characters in children’s publishing – Babar, Tintin, Winnie-the-Pooh and the animals in Wind in the Willows.
Originally from Edinburgh, Louise is now based near London’s Wimbledon Common (so maybe she’s met The Wombles too…?).