Kidd departs Aitken Alexander for 'new venture'

Aitken Alexander m.d. Andrew Kidd is leaving agenting to launch his own start-up venture, saying he is keen to explore "new ways to bring more great writing…to more readers."

Kidd will depart Aitken Alexander at the end of October after six years at the literary agency, during which time he was also the founding figure behind The Folio Prize, awarded for the first time last March.

Full details on Kidd's new venture will not be disclosed until after he leaves the agency, but the agent told The Bookseller he was "very excited about trying to find a way to connect the sort of writing I really love and care about with new readers". He added: "The existing ways are all fine and well but there might be other ways and platforms."

The new venture will have no Folio Prize connection, Kidd confirmed.

He commented: "I have enjoyed these last six years immensely, working alongside my passionate and talented colleagues and, of course, with the authors who have given me the great privilege of representing them. Every one of them is outstanding, and I have made this difficult decision in large part because I want to explore new ways to bring more great writing such as theirs to more readers. I shall greatly miss Aitken Alexander, with its spirit of the infinitely possible, and I especially want to thank Gillon and Clare for being such inspiring and generous mentors during my time here.’
 
Aitken and Alexander described Kidd as "a wonderful agent, colleague and friend" who would be much missed by them all. "We look forward to supporting his exciting new venture from the wings, and wish him every possible success," they said.

Meanwhile Lucy Luck is to join the agency from 1st October, having worked in association with Aitken Alexander for the last six years, building what the agency described as "a brilliant and distinctive list of clients." Luck will continue to build her list "but will also take a more active role in the agency, its authors and its future".
 
Aitken Alexander is also looking to hire another UK agent "in due course", being "committed to finding new opportunities to further strengthen the business", having opened offices in New York and Delhi in recent years.