Booktrust’s Viv Bird to step down

Viv Bird will step down from her role as chief executive of Booktrust next year.
 
Bird said she had chosen to leave the job to “achieve a better work life balance.” She added: “I am proud of what I have achieved working with committed staff and a supportive Board of Trustees, as well as the challenges we have overcome.”
 
During her time at Booktrust, she spearheaded several campaigns and worked to improve child literacy, most recently partnering with Save the Children and the National Literacy Trust on the Read On. Get On. campaign.
 
Karen Brown, chair of Booktrust’s board of trustees said:  “Viv has led the charity with distinction and navigated Booktrust through a period of rapid change. She has significantly increased the range and reach of Booktrust’s programmes and awards to encourage more children and families to read.
 
“The trustees would like to thank Viv for her dedication and hard work. We appreciate her commitment to Booktrust, particularly highlighting the message that books give children the power to imagine and skills to transform their lives, and  her efforts to  ensure that the charity is able to meet the challenges ahead.”
 
Bird, who took on the role of chief executive in 2007, will stay until March 2015 to allow time for Booktrust to find a successor.