Chair of Boards
Chair of London Book Fair which takes place in March at Olympia. The biggest Spring B2B book fair in the world.
Chair of New Writing North. NWN is a writing agency based in Newcastle and an Arts Council NPO that develops and promotes writers across the north of England. We also have relationships with publishers nationally, as well as with the likes of BBC, Channel 4, and The Royal Court Theatre. Additionally we run events like Durham Book Festival, the David Cohen Prize and The Gordon Burn Prize.
Chair of BookBrunch, the online trade magazine and news service for the publishing industry.
Sitting on a number of publishing advisory boards.
Coaching and Mentoring
Professionally qualified coach/mentor working primarily with people in and around publishing.
Specialist niches include:
- New entrants to publishing industry, self-starters and entrepreneurs – particularly BAME, working-class and regional entrants who find the industry inaccessible
- First time general manager appointments – directors, MDs and CEOs – who benefit from an independent coach providing personal support
- Authors, and writers who want to be authors
- 50-something individuals at a watershed in their lives, either through redundancy or choice
Consultancy
Giving strategic and business development direction and advice; working with senior management teams developing and writing strategy & business plans; problem-solving / managing specific projects in the areas of publishing, media, arts and entertainment retail; exploring digital opportunities that exist.
Working with media, agencies, promotion and marketplace companies and acting as the one-stop introduction to the publishing industries, companies, key players, and content.
Helping to exploit the links between creative, media and retail environments.
Lecturer / Public Speaking
Lecturer to Creative Business for Entrepreneurs and Executives Masters students at the National Film and Television School, and masterclasses to MA Publishing students at several universities.
Highly experienced public speaker, presenter and chairman of industry associations and conferences, delivering keynote addresses at company and trade events.