Burston, Paul
Paul Burston writes both fiction and non-fiction, and has edited two short story collections. He hosts the award-winning LGBTQ+ literary salon Polari and is the founder of The Polari Prize book awards for LGBTQ+ writers. In 2016 he featured in the British Council’s Global List of ‘33 visionary people promoting freedom, equality and LGBT rights […]
Dillsworth, Elise
Elise Dillsworth is a literary agent. Previously she was a commissioning editor at Virago Press. In 2004 she co-founded the Diversity in Publishing Network to encourage people from diverse cultural backgrounds to enter the workforce. In 2012 she established Elise Dillsworth Literary Agency with the keen aim to reflect international writing. Her authors have won […]
Hodgkinson, Ted
Ted Hodgkinson is Head of Literature and Spoken Word at the Southbank Centre, Europe’s largest arts centre and the home of the National Poetry Library and London Literature Festival. Since taking up the role he has launched new initiatives, from the New Poets Collective to Indie Night, which champions independent publishing. A former Chair of […]
McCormick, Caroline
Caroline is the Director of cultural sector consultancy company, Achates. Prior to founding Achates in 2014, she was Chief Executive of PEN International, the Literature Representative at UNESCO and an advisor to Nobel Peace Prize Laureate, Professor Wangari Maathai. She is the Chair of the Cultural Philanthropy Foundation which campaigns for the democratisation of culture, […]
Vishkai, Reza
Reza, a founding partner of Parala, brings over thirty years of finance sector expertise in various investment strategies, including derivatives, absolute return, and private equity. He began his career as a fixed income analyst at Salomon Brothers and later joined Rogers, Casey & Associates, a leading US investment consultancy. There, he advised major corporate and […]
Palmer, Judith
Judith Palmer has been Director of The Poetry Society since 2008, where she has focused on developing new generations of poets and commissioning new work. A writer, broadcaster and journalist, she has a background in literature development (including at the Southbank Centre and the Women’s Library) in publishing, and curating public event programmes. She has […]
Savidge, Simon
Simon Savidge is a bibliophile, broadcaster and presenter. He has judged the Costa Book Awards, Portico Prize and Desmond Elliott Prize. He has appeared on the Booker Prize Live on BBC, recommended books on BBC 5 Live plus co-hosted Turn Up For The Books on BBC Sounds. He has co-presented three seasons of Sky Arts […]
Linton, Lynette
Lynette Linton is a writer, and BAFTA nominated director for theatre, TV and film, was the Artistic Director of the Bush Theatre from 2019 – 2025. Her programming at the Bush has centered on ground-breaking debuts from UK and Irish writers. It has seen four consecutive Olivier Award wins for Richard Gadd’s Baby Reindeer, Igor Memic’s Old […]
Bottomley, Nic
Nic Bottomley is co-founder of Mr B’s Emporium of Reading Delights, the welcoming and irreverent independent bookshop in Bath which has twice been named Independent Bookshop of the Year (UK and Ireland) and is known for bookselling innovations such as The Reading Spa, one of the UK’s largest bespoke reading subscription programmes and being the […]
Ovenden, Richard
Richard Ovenden is Bodley’s Librarian & the Helen Hamlyn Director of the University Libraries (the senior executive officer of the Bodleian Libraries) and is responsible for their strategic oversight. He holds this post together with being Head of Gardens, Libraries & Museums (GLAM). Richard has held positions at Durham University Library, the House of Lords […]
Michel, Caroline
Since 2007, Dame Caroline Michel has been both the CEO of literary and talent agency Peters Fraser and Dunlop (PFD) and has served as Chair and previously Trustee of Hay Literary festival. She is also Chair of the BFI Trust, a Fellow of the RSA and Vice President of the London Library and Trustee of […]
Brook, Annette
Annette Brook has worked in literature development for 15 years, primarily in communications and marketing, for organisations including Spread the Word, the Royal Society of Literature and First Story. Her specialisms include digital communications, partnership development, volunteer management and supporting the career progression of writers. She has been an advisory board member for Penned in […]