Lord Boateng new chair of Book Aid International

Book Aid International has appointed Lord Paul Boateng as its new chair.

Lord Boateng said of his appointment: "Access to books meant so much to me as a child growing up in Africa. I am delighted, sixty years on, to be working with Book Aid International to reach out to a new generation with everything that great books have to offer. Book Aid International’s very special combination of grass roots volunteerism and corporate social responsibility is making a real difference not just to children but to the teachers, scientists, farmers and entrepreneurs who are the key to successful development."

The former MP, Minister of State for the Home Office and Chief Secretary to the Treasury has a long-standing commitment to development in Africa. As the Prime Minister’s special representative he helped deliver the Africa Commission report in 2005, which included advocating increased support for Africa’s development. He was High Commissioner to South Africa from 2005-2009 and is currently involved in a range of charitable and business organisations working to realise Africa’s potential.
 
The current chair of Book Aid International, Philip Walters MBE, retires in June 2014 after three years in the role and twelve years on the board.

Formerly chief executive of Hodder Education, Walters was awarded an MBE in 2010 for services to educational publishing. He has helped to develop Book Aid International’s relationships with the UK publishing industry, which donates an estimated £8 million worth of new books to the charity every year.
 
Walters commented on his successor: “I am so pleased that Lord Boateng has agreed to succeed me as Chair of Book Aid International. We couldn’t have anyone more suitable to help guide Book Aid International the next stage of its development.”
 
Lord Boateng’s appointment was announced at a celebration for the charity’s 60th anniversary last week at St James’s Palace in London. Present were His Royal Highness The Duke of Edinburgh, patron of Book Aid International since it became a charity in 1966, Joanna Lumley, a long term supporter of the charity, and John Simpson, World Affairs editor of BBC News.