Anisha Kaur Gill

Since graduating with a Bachelor's and Master’s degree in English in 2020, Anisha has gone on to build a career across some of the UK’s most recognisable children’s media and publishing organisations, including the BBC, Penguin Random House and HarperCollins.

Now based in London, Anisha works at the heart of children’s publishing, combining creativity, digital expertise and a lifelong passion for storytelling to help shape content that reaches families and young readers nationally.

How it all began: discovering a passion for storytelling at Derby

Anisha’s love of storytelling began during her childhood, having been immersed in books and children’s media from an early age. That passion naturally led her to perusing it academically at the University of Derby, where she achieved a First Class BA (Hons) degree in English. Her academic achievements led to her being awarded a fully funded scholarship to study a Master's degree in English at the University of Nottingham.

Looking back, Anisha reflects on her time at Derby as a formative period that helped develop her confidence as a writer and presenter. The academic rigour of the course, alongside the encouragement to think creatively and critically, played an important role in preparing her for a career in the creative sector, which is an increasingly competitive industry. During her time at Derby, she was awarded the Dean’s Award, Success Award, International Travel Award, Higher Fliers Award and multiple Futures Awards.

Making a national impact: shaping the next generation at the BBC

Alongside studying, Anisha began building experience within the entertainment and education sector, working on nationally recognised brands such as Sky News, BBC Asian Network and BBC Radio Derby.

After graduating, Anisha completed a graduate scheme at the University of Derby, then joined the BBC’s Children’s & Education department at Media City in Manchester, where she worked as a Researcher and soon progressed onto an Assistant Producer.  During this time, Anisha contributed to digital content for CBeebies, supported the development of BBC Bitesize GCSE revision materials, created social media content and online articles for BBC Tiny Happy People, and travelled across the UK delivering creative sessions for schoolchildren as part of BBC Share Your Story celebrating the centenary of the BBC.

Alongside her full-time work in the media sector, Anisha has also spent over six years as an English Tutor, supporting learners of all ages to develop important skills in English language, English literature and literacy.

Moving to the Big City: Publishing in London at Penguin Random House

In 2024 Anisha got married and moved from her home city of Derby, to London, where her husband works as a Pilot for British Airways. Anisha was determined to soak up all the opportunities the big city had to offer and set her heart on breaking into the world of publishing. Anisha currently works as a Digital Content Executive on the Ladybird and Puffin brands at Penguin Random House; the UK’s largest publisher and world’s biggest children’s publisher. Based in Central London, Anisha works within the Marketing and PR team in the Children’s division, on the nationally treasured children’s brands.

In her role, Anisha manages the digital presence of both brands, overseeing social media channels and web platforms to engage young audiences and their families, helping to bring the joy of stories to life in new and creative ways. One of her highlights has been meeting world famous authors, such as Jeff Kinney and Jacqueline Wilson, and contemporary icons like Katie Kirby and Sathnam Sanghera.

Making Magic: Achievements and Recognition

Anisha’s academic and professional work has also gained national recognition. She was named one of the UK’s Top 10 Undergraduates of the Year for Impactful Social Action, a finalist in the Social and Humanitarian category of the Women of the Future Asian Women Achievement Awards, an Inspirational Role Model finalist in the She Awards, and Runner Up for University of Derby Graduate of the Year.

Anisha’s talent for writing for children has been further recognised by HarperCollins, where she was selected to join the highly competitive HarperCollins Author Academy, and is now an alumnus of the programme and author in the making.

Reflecting on her career so far, Anisha considers working for national brands that shaped her own childhood to be one of her proudest achievements. Having grown up watching CBeebies, learning through BBC Bitesize and reading Ladybird and Puffin books, returning to these brands as a professional where she has continued their legacy with the next generations has been a particularly meaningful experience.