Hesketh steps up to director role at Poetry Translation Centre as publishing output grows 

Erica Hesketh has stepped up to the role of director of the Poetry Translation Centre (PTC) after six years as its chief executive.

In the expanded role, Hesketh will take on the commissioning and editing of the PTC’s books. The move comes as the PTC signs a UK distribution agreement with Inpress and confirms co-publishing projects with Bloodaxe Books and Nine Arches Press for 2024.

Hesketh joined the PTC in 2016 from English PEN, where she managed the Writers in Translation programme. She said: “I am delighted to be stepping up into the role of director. I began my career in editorial back in 2005 and it’s great to be coming full circle.

“I look forward to working even more closely with the PTC’s incredible poets and translators, and expanding our publishing list as we look ahead to the PTC’s 20th birthday in 2024.”

The PTC’s latest publication, The Water People by Vénus Khoury-Ghata (translated by Will Harris and Delaina Haslam as part of the World Poet Series), is the Poetry Book Society’s Translation Choice for autumn 2022.

Octavia Lamb, chair of trustees, added: “Since Erica has been at the helm the PTC has gone from strength to strength, and we are all thrilled that she is now expanding her role to become director. She brings a wealth of publishing experience to the role which will help consolidate the PTC’s eminent position in the world of poetry in translation.”