BBC’s Razia Iqbal announced as chair

 13 November 2017 | Coin Street Conference Centre

 London, 13 September 2017: The London Book Fair and the Publishers Association have announced that the Building Inclusivity in Publishing conference will return for a second year on 13 November 2017, following the great success of the inaugural conference in 2016.

Entitled Building Inclusivity in Publishing – Reflecting All: Effecting Change, and chaired by the BBC’s Razia Iqbal, the conference will highlight the action currently being taken to improve diversity across the publishing industry, while exploring what more needs to be done to ensure equal representation.

Spanning the entire publishing process, from author to reader, this year’s conference will revisit some of the pledges made at last year’s conference and encourage delegates to make new pledges. Key themes will include:

• BAME progression and the commercial imperative
• Getting more writers from minorities published
• Supporting employees with disabilities in the workplace
• The importance of role models in the workforce

Building Inclusivity in Publishing is open to all those working in the book industry and the wider creative industries, and attendees include booksellers, agents, authors, literary festival and event organisers, and publishers.

The inspirational full-day programme will feature a range of speakers from beyond the publishing industry, including: Selma Nicholls, founder of Looks Like Me, a talent and casting agency for underrepresented groups; Nancy Roberts, founder of Business Inclusivity, a social enterprise supporting greater inclusivity in boardrooms; and Jamie Beddard of Diverse City, an organisation committed to diversity and equality in the arts.

 

Orna O’Brien, Conference Manager of The London Book Fair, said:

“In recent years the publishing industry has made big strides towards becoming more accessible and inclusive – whether that be through publishing more books by BAME authors or adopting recruitment policies which reflect the diversity of society as a whole. But there is much more to do, many more important conversations to be had and so many lessons to learn from others. We’re delighted to be bringing the conference back for a second instalment and are excited to deliver an even stronger programme which helps to move these important debates forward, and in a small way help effect change.”

 

Emma House, Deputy CEO at the Publishers Association, commented:

“Building inclusivity continues to be a priority within all aspects of the book ecosystem, whether in the publishing workforce or in the content publishers produce. This conference is a must for all publishers so that they can learn about best practice within the industry and join the conversation about what more publishers can do to ensure the industry becomes more representative of the UK population. Following the launch of the PA inclusivity action plan we are delighted that this event, now in its second year, will keep the momentum going on this important issue and provide further support to publishers looking to implement new initiatives and schemes to increase inclusivity in their organisations.”

Tickets are now available at: http://www.londonbookfair.co.uk/Whats-On/conferences/bipconference/

– Ends –

 

For further information, and to request interviews, please contact:

Edwina Boyd-Gibbins Midas Public Relations on 0207 361 7860

edwina.boyd-gibbins@midaspr.co.uk
www.londonbookfair.co.uk

 

Notes to editors:

 

 THE LONDON BOOK FAIR (LBF)

The London Book Fair (LBF) is the global marketplace for rights negotiation and the sale and distribution of content across print, audio, TV, film and digital channels. Taking place every spring in the world’s premier publishing and cultural capital, it is a unique opportunity to explore, understand and capitalise on the innovations shaping the publishing world of the future. LBF brings you direct access to customers, content and emerging markets. LBF 2018, the 47th Fair, will take place from 10 – 12 April 2018, Olympia London. LBF’s London Book and Screen Week will run for the third year, with the book fair as the pivotal three-day event within a seven-day programme. For further information, please visit: www.londonbookfair.co.uk

 THE PUBLISHERS ASSOCIATION

The Publishers Association (the PA) represents book, journal, audio and electronic publishers in the UK, spanning fiction and non-fiction, academic and educational publishing. Our members include global companies such as Elsevier, Wiley, Pearson, Penguin Random House, Hachette and the University presses, as well as many independent publishing houses.

 

REED EXHIBITIONS BOOKS & PUBLISHING

Reed Exhibitions Books & Publishing portfolio consists of six trade and public book fairs taking place in some of the most important and dynamic book markets in the world: Brazil, France, Japan, UK and USA. Bienal do Livro São Paulo, BookExpo America, eBooks, Salon du Livre, The London Book Fair and Tokyo International Book Fair, collectively attract over 770,000 participants and 2,600 primary exhibitors and rights centre table holders, interested in buying or selling intellectual property rights, buying, selling or specifying titles, discovering the latest trends in publishing, understanding new markets or meeting authors and discovering new titles.

Working closely with professional bodies, trades associations and government departments, Reed Exhibitions Books & Publishing portfolio ensures that each and every event is targeted and relevant to the book and publishing industry’s needs. As a result many of Reed Exhibitions books and publishing events are leaders in their markets.

 

REED EXHIBITIONS

Reed Exhibitions is the world’s leading events organizer, with over 500 events in 41 countries. In 2012 Reed brought together seven million active event participants from around the world generating billions of dollars in business. Today Reed events are held throughout the Americas, Europe, the Middle East, Asia Pacific and Africa and organized by 34 fully staffed offices. Reed Exhibitions serves 44 industry sectors with trade and consumer events and is part of the Reed Elsevier Group, a world leading provider of professional information solutions. www.reedexpo.com