Bergstrom, Clark and Hahn on new Cheltenham Festival advisory group

The Times and The Sunday Times Cheltenham Literature Festival has recruited a new advisory group made up of editors, agents and journalists to "help ensure the festival remains at the forefront of the UK’s literary festival scene".

The Advisory Group is intended to bring expertise in publishing industry developments, including audio and digital, as well as diverse voices and fresh ideas. The group consists of literary agent Abigail Bergstrom; author Clare Clark; writer and translator Daniel Hahn, journalist and editor Arifa Akbar, The Pool founder Sam Baker; writer and broadcaster Damian Barr; and consultant Videl Bar-Kar.

Head of programming Nicola Tuxworth said: “The Advisory Group complements the skillset of the Festival’s programming team. It is a forward-looking and knowledgeable group of people who have access to some impressive networks.”

Festival chair Caroline Hutton said: “Working with our Advisory Group is one of the great pleasures of being chair of The Times and The Sunday Times Cheltenham Literature Festival. Our first meetings have been inspiring and energising and we are immensely grateful to the group for donating their ideas and their time so generously to the Festival.”

The group will meet three to four times per year and provide year-round support and input on the programme content as well as the longer term strategic aims of the festival.

This year's iteration of the festival will run from 4th to 15th October 2018, exploring the theme of "East Meets West".