Gail Rebuck appointed to House of Lords

Penguin Random House UK chair Gail Rebuck has today been appointed to the House of Lords as a Labour peer.

Rebuck, who also sits on the company’s global board of representatives, said she was looking forward to championing issues including investment in the arts, as well as making sure that “the life-changing power of reading is available to all”.

“I feel very privileged to be joining the House of Lords as I have always seen politics and Parliament as vital forces shaping our national and global lives,” she said.

“I hope to make a contribution to debates and legislation based on over 30 years at the heart of the book publishing business. I have campaigned for literacy and literature, the arts, culture and education and I have focussed on women’s empowerment in the workforce increasing diversity at the top of companies.

“I look forward to championing the issues I have cared about for decades including investment in the arts, opening up access to the professions and supporting Britain’s formidable creative industries.

“But my passion has always been books, both as a young editor and then as c.e.o. and now chair of our largest publishing company, so I will continue to do all I can to ensure that the life-changing power of reading is available to all.”

Rebuck, who was made a Dame in 2009 in the Queen’s Birthday Honours List, started her publishing career as a production assistant. She was chair and c.e.o. of Random House from 1991-2013.

Rebuck also chairs the Cheltenham Literature Festival and the Quick Reads charity, among other roles. Rebuck was awarded the Booksellers Association’s award for Outstanding Contribution to the Book Trade at this year’s Bookseller Industry Awards, for her work for the Books Are My Bag campaign. It was the second occasion on which Rebuck had been given the award, after also receiving it in 2009.