Welcome to our ‘A Day in the Life’ blog series, where we’ll be interviewing members of the LBF team, industry professionals, and special guests attending our next LBF event.
Our latest interview is with Adam Ridgway – the newly appointed Director of The London Book Fair.
Adam is an industry veteran, having worked in the events industry for organisers that stretch from a handful of people to the largest event organisers in the world for over three decades. Adam has run both B2B and B2C events across multiple industry sectors including energy, jewellery, chemicals and broadcasting.
During his career, Adam has worked on long-established meetings – with decades of history to draw on, right through to new launches – in countries ranging from Canada to Malaysia and Bahrain to Norway.
Adam spoke to us about his decades-long career in events, the advice he’d give to someone starting in the industry, and his love of John Steinbeck…
What’s the first thing you do after your alarm has gone off in the morning?
In truth, I am often out of bed and getting ready for the day before the alarm has had a chance to go off!
Tea or coffee?
I drink tea when at home or in the office, but generally coffee when out and about. Experience has taught me that bad coffee is bad but bad tea is undrinkable!
What does a typical day look like for you?
I’m still in my first month working on the event, so I naturally have a great deal to learn about the show and the industry it serves. However, as Director of LBF, I have three key objectives: working with the team to produce a show that is vital to the industry it serves, making sure that LBF hits (and hopefully exceeds) its targets, and developing LBF so it remains a key part of the publishing industry’s future.
I am now spending some time in both the Richmond and St Albans offices, either way, I get in early and get through any urgent tasks before my meetings (and Teams calls) start. Where possible, I try and finish promptly and get home. In the evening, my wife and I like to go out for a walk, get some fresh air and think about things other than work – at least for a while.
What do you enjoy most about your job?
Working in the events industry is, in my opinion, a privilege. Over the years I have travelled the world, met thousands of interesting people and helped to bring together incredibly complex projects that drive growth in the industries they serve. On top of that, I get to work with some very talented people and take responsibility for things that impact positively on the business for which I work.
If you weren’t working in the events industry, what would be your alternative career?
I am a very lucky man in a very fortunate position and experience tells me that when you change one thing, you end up changing a lot more. I prefer to focus on the future and count my blessings, rather than think of what might have been.
What is one piece of advice you would give to someone wanting to begin a career in your industry?
Say “yes”, work hard and take responsibility.
If you could only recommend one book, film, and TV show to someone, what would it be?
I don’t watch many films or much TV but I do read every day. My favourite author is John Steinbeck – he has written a host of great books, so you really can’t go wrong but if I had to pick one, I would say ‘The Grapes of Wrath’. It is a story of a family’s struggles through the American great depression. who start with next to nothing and end up with even less. It’s incredibly moving and says much for the human spirit. When you have read it, you will realise just how lucky you are, which is a good thing for anyone.
What are you looking forward to the most at LBF25?
At the moment, I just want to see the show and hear the buzz, but there is much to do before that will happen.