Former Sunday Times literary editor Holgate joins Andrew Nurnberg Associates

Andrew Holgate, former literary editor of The Sunday Times, has joined Andrew Nurnberg Associates as an affiliate literary agent.

Holgate, who was at The Sunday Times for 23 years — first as deputy literary editor for nine years before being named literary editor in 2008 — said when he stepped down last October that he did not want to leave the book trade and hoped “there will be things I can do going forward and opportunities that arise".

In his new role, Holgate will be growing a select list of fiction and literary non-fiction, memoir, biography, nature and history. He has already signed his first client, former journalist Oliver Morgan, whose psychological suspense debut novel “is a large part of the reason why I have decided to make the jump".

He added: “‘I am so thrilled to be joining Andrew Nurnberg. It is such a friendly and welcoming company, so well run, has such an impressive international reach and is very ambitious about its future. I feel very lucky to be here, and very grateful to m.d. Jenny Savill for suggesting the idea. I’m in a very privileged position where I can devote a lot of time to the writers I take on. I have a huge amount to learn, but passion for each and every writer I take on is a key part of what I want to bring to my role.”

Savill said: “I’m delighted that Andrew has decided to make the leap to agenting with ANA London. This is a very exciting moment for us. We welcome not only his years of experience and incisive eye, but also his energy, passion for great writing, excellent sense of humour and openness to new ideas. I’m looking forward immensely to seeing him build his list.”