Roche new chairman of LBF advisory board

Former Borders c.e.o. David Roche has been named as the new non-executive chairman of the London Book Fair Advisory Board as Simon Master steps down from the post.

Roche, who has also worked with HMV and Waterstones, and is a former president of the Booksellers Association, said he looked forward to working with the board and LBF team to ensure LBF “continues to evolve, innovate and grow as the compulsory part of the global calendar that it is today".

He said: “With the rapid changes that we are experiencing in the publishing world, it is important to remember that this is still an industry that is all about people, and the London Book Fair is a vital meeting place to conduct business and exchange ideas.”

Master hands over to Roche later this month when judges meet to decide the winner of the London Book Fair Lifetime Achievement Award, to be presented at this year's fair.

Master, who recently retired as a non-executive director of the Random House Group, said he “greatly enjoyed” his time at LBF and wished Roche “every success.”