Arvon appoints Jeremy Treglown as new chair

Creative writing charity Arvon has appointed biographer Jeremy Treglown, a former editor of the Times Literary Supplement, to be its new chair.

Treglown has taken over from former chair Alistair Burtenshaw, who has stepped down due to the time constraints following his new appointment as director of Watts Gallery Trust. 

Chief executive of Arvon, Ruth Borthwick, welcomed Treglown to the role as "a legendary figure in the world of literature".

"Not only is Jeremy a successful author and editor, but he also understands the power of writing to transform people’s lives and believes, as we at Arvon do, that everyone should have the opportunity to develop their imagination through writing," she added. "We are looking forward to what we can achieve together to benefit writers everywhere."

Treglown praised Arvon's efforts to reach marginalised groups and said imagination is particularly needed, if undervalued, in this "dark historical moment". 

“Arvon is like an ever more effective bunch of photovoltaic panels helping transform talent into creative energy," he said. "Busy open-access regional residential writing centres, thriving programmes to reach young people and adults from marginalised groups, expanding online activities, and still more to come in its 50th birthday year!  At a dark historical moment when imagination is so much needed and yet so undervalued, I’m thrilled to join this light-harnessing creative enterprise.”

Arvon celebrates its 50th anniversary in 2018 as "the home of creative writing". The charity runs residential creative writing courses and retreats across a wide range of genres, from writing houses in Shropshire, Devon and Yorkshire.  About a third of the residential weeks are with schools, young people and community groups. Visiting tutors at Arvon throughout 2017 have included Mark Haddon, Ray Davies, Jessica Swale, Simon Armitage, Sarah Howe and Neel Mukherjee.