Matt Hancock MP confirmed as keynote speaker
13 November 2017 | Coin Street Conference Centre
London, 20 October 2017: The London Book Fair and the Publishers Association are delighted to announce that the Rt Hon Matt Hancock, Minister of State for Creative Industries and MP for West Suffolk, will be the keynote speaker at the Building Inclusivity in Publishing conference 2017.
Since his appointment to the Cabinet Office in July 2016, Matt Hancock MP has served at the Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS), where his wide-ranging responsibilities include the creative industries, broadcasting and the technology industry. He was elected in the 2010 general election and has served in a number of ministerial roles, including skills and business.
Further additions to the conference from aligned industries and the publishing industry feature Alicia Wood, from not-for-profit learning disabilities organisation Dimensions UK, who will participate in a session on disability in the workplace; and Nancy Adimora, the founding editor of online literary magazine AFREADA, who will be interviewed on the importance of role models at a senior level.
Back for its second year and chaired by BBC journalist Razia Iqbal, the focus of this year’s event is Reflecting All: Effecting Change. The conference will highlight the action currently being taken to improve diversity in the creative sector, while exploring what more needs to be done to ensure equal representation.
Matt Hancock, Minister of State for Creative Industries, said:
“Our world leading creative industries are at the heart of our economic and cultural life. It’s absolutely vital that the sector is open to people from all backgrounds. The Publishers Association is taking strides to address diversity and it’s great to see their members’ commitment to tackling this issue.”
Orna O’Brien, Conference Manager of The London Book Fair, said:
“The Building Inclusivity in Publishing conference is unique in the publishing calendar. It tackles some of the most important and pressing issues around diversity, accessibility and equality. For this second instalment of the conference we are delighted to welcome Matt Hancock MP and our other high profile speakers who will be fantastic additions to the programme and will add a great deal to the debate.”
Emma House, Deputy CEO of the Publishers Association, said:
“Increasing inclusivity has been a central aim for the publishing industry over the past few years, with the industry making a public commitment to tackle this issue with the launch of the inclusivity plan and targets this year. Given the efforts publishers have made in this area, we are thrilled that Matt Hancock has agreed to give the keynote speech this year. I hope the debates and insights shared at this conference help to continue to drive real change in this area.”
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.
Tickets are now available at: http://www.londonbookfair.co.uk/Whats-On/conferences/bipconference/
- Ends –
For further information, and to request interviews, please contact:
Daniel Freeman or Edwina Boyd-Gibbins
Midas Public Relations
0207 361 7860
edwina.boyd-gibbins@midaspr.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