Gadsby becomes new IPG President

Oliver Gadsby has been appointed as the new president of the Independent Publishers Guild (IPG), succeeding Jonathan Harris, who has been president since 2015.

Gadsby has had a long career in publishing at companies including Rowman & Littlefield International and Continuum. He continues to be active as a chair and non-executive director of organisations including the Zero Carbon Academy, and sits on the advisory boards of several IPG members.

He was chair of the IPG from 2014 to 2016 and has served on the board and as a patron. Gadsby will now work with the IPG’s chief executive Bridget Shine, board and team to help steer its future activities.

Gadsby was formally appointed president at the IPG’s Annual General Meeting on 29th June. The meeting also confirmed David Graham, managing director at Batsford Books, as its new chair, while Nicola Ramsey, c.e.o. of Edinburgh University Press, becomes vice chair.

IPG chief executive Bridget Shine said: “Oliver is a vastly experienced and talented publisher and leader who has been at the heart of the IPG for many years, and I am thrilled that he is taking on this role. Jonathan will be a tough act to a follow as our President, but I know that Oliver will be an outstanding ambassador for both the IPG and independent publishing in general.”

The IPG also welcomes four new board members: Kay Lubwika Bartlett, co-founder and managing director of Roll & Play Press, Shannon Cullen, group publishing director for children’s books at Quarto, Helen Kogan, managing director at Kogan Page and Archna Sharma, founder and c.e.o. at Neem Tree Press.

Standing down are two board members, James Woollam, managing director at David & Charles and Martin Casimir, chair of Compass Independent Publishing Services and consultant, who are both former IPG chairs.

Shine added: “The IPG is very fortunate to have such a committed and talented group of directors, who all give time from their busy day-to-day professional lives to support our work and their fellow independent publishers. Kay, Shannon, Helen and Archna bring a wealth of experience and skills from a variety of publishing backgrounds and will be much-valued board members.”

The AGM also marked the retirement of IPG treasurer and company secretary Terry Fisher after 11 years. In his place the IPG has welcomed Heather Morison in the new role of head of finance and operations.