Elsevier's Wilkinson named Reading Agency chief

Sue Wilkinson has been appointed as chief executive of the Reading Agency, taking over from founder and director Miranda McKearney.

Wilkinson is currently director of UK academic and government alliances at Elsevier, and was previously director of policy at the Museums, Libraries and Archives Council (MLA), where she delivered projects such as Inspiring Learning for All and Renaissance in the Regions.

Chair of the Reading Agency board, Liz Cleaver, said: "Sue was the outstanding candidate. She is a proven leader with a passion for reading in all its forms, who has the experience and energy to lead The Reading Agency into the future."

Wilkinson, who was awarded an MBE this summer for services to learning in museums  will begin her role in January 2014. She said: "The Reading Agency  has been enormously successful in working with partners to pioneer new ways to engage people with reading. I look forward to consolidating and building on these partnerships as well as embracing the exciting new opportunities made possible by developing technologies."

"I firmly believe that reading does change lives and am proud to be championing the cause of reading, in all its forms, as the new CEO of the The Reading Agency.”

Antonia Byatt, director of literature at Arts Council England, and Tony Durcan of the Society of Chief Librarians both expressed their confidence in Wilkinson. Byatt called Wilkinson "a skilled and ambitious leader", while Durcan said: "I feel extremely confident that Sue Wilkinson will build on the exemplary work of Miranda McKearney, and lead The Reading Agency towards a bright future."

The Reading Agency hopes to reach 10m people over the next five years, helping people who do not regularly read to become involved in projects such as the Summer Reading Challenge and World Book Night.