Amy Howard appointed director for Ledbury Poetry

Ledbury Poetry has appointed Amy Howard as its new director for sabbatical cover. 

Having led the organisation for more than 17 years, the arts charity’s director Chloe Garner will be taking an 18-month sabbatical from April 2024 to September 2025. 

Howard will take over in her absence and has experience across the marketing, mental health and arts sectors. Most recently she co-founded a Hereford-based arts organisation focused on mental health and the arts. 

Howard said: “I’m thrilled to be taking on this role with Ledbury Poetry and I can’t wait to see what we achieve together. Now more than ever, the world needs people to be hearing each other so I’m excited to be able to celebrate this incredible art form, while forging new connections and pathways to people who have yet to discover that they love poetry.  

“Digital content plays a growing role in the consumption of the arts, and I am eager to develop Ledbury Poetry’s digital presence. Alongside that, I am keen to explore collaborations with a wide range of artists and organisations to develop cross-pollinations of poetry and other art forms.” 

She will be guided and supported by Ledbury Poetry’s board of trustees, as well as new co-chairs Curtis Fulcher and Michael Amherst. 

Fulcher has worked in the cultural sector at a senior level for more than 20 years, with specific specialisms around strategy and business development. He has held the role of director of the Bridport Prize and is currently working for Gloucestershire Libraries. 

He said: “I have a passion for literature and hope to combine my skills with the ambition of Ledbury Poetry to support the organisation on the next step of its journey.”  

Amherst is an award-winning author of fiction and non-fiction. He has won the Stone Prize for Non-fiction and been sponsored by the American Library Association and has worked for a human rights charity.

He said: “It’s a privilege to be involved with a local organisation with a global reach in literature and I look forward to supporting Amy and the rest of the staff in all future endeavours.”  

Now in its 28th year, it is the largest and most international celebration of poetry and spoken word in Britain and runs from 28th June to 7th July 2024.