Burtenshaw takes the chair

Former London Book Fair Director calls on publishers to join in campaign to preserve Government funding for bookgifting

Alistair Burtenshaw has taken over as Chair of Booktrust, Britain's leading book charity. Alistair - who recently stepped down from The London Book Fair after ten years as Director - says he wants to use his new role to highlight the huge amount Booktrust has achieved for children through its national bookgifting programmes, and build on our partnerships with publishers. He also vows to fight hard for continued Government funding for the programmes.

Alistair Burtenshaw comments:

I'm delighted to chair Booktrust at such a crucial juncture in its history. It's a dynamic organisation that does wonderful work - thanks in large part to the fantastic support of the UK publishing community. I want to thank publishers for everything they've done for us. I also want to help build further collaborative ventures with the sector as Booktrust follows new paths of innovation - aimed at bringing the gift of reading to everyone in our country, and in particular those who are most vulnerable.

'Support from Government has been vital in maximising the impact of our partnerships with publishers enabling us to give over 5 million books last year. However, that funding - already 50% down from 2010 - will come to an end in under six months time, leaving these much valued programmes under threat. Together with CEO, Viv Bird, I want to lobby hard to protect that funding. I urge all our friends in publishing to add their voice to ours in encouraging the Secretary of State for Education to reconfirm the government's financial commitment to these vital and valued bookgifting programmes.

Welcoming Alistair to his new role, Booktrust CEO, Viv Bird, said the support of such a well respected figure in the publishing world will be invaluable:

Alistair is a staunch advocate of building strong relationships with publishers who have been crucial to the success of Booktrust in recent years. While we wait to hear the Government's intentions on future funding, I would like to join Alistair in thanking all those in publishing who have continued to support our work through challenging times. We all share a passion for books, and through Booktrust's work with bookgifting and literary prizes, are committed to creating generations of new readers. 

More information on Alistair and the new board members