Koomson joins Jacaranda Books' inaugural advisory board

Author Dorothy Koomson is joining the inaugural advisory board for independent press Jacaranda Books.

The publisher says the board will work closely with senior management “to drive the company’s growth strategy as it looks with confidence towards the future”.

There will be five members in total on the advisory board. In addition to Koomson, media and PR consultant Richard Adeshiyan, writer and academic Lina Liederman, author and former City trader Isabelle Dupuy and independent consultant Solomon Rose have been announced.

The formation of the advisory board comes as a part of Jacaranda’s commitments under the National Portfolio Organisation programme by Arts Council England (ACE). From 2023 there is an increased focus by the Arts Council on the governance arrangements that its National Portfolio Organisations (NPOs) have in place as a key measure of a "well run" organisation.

C.e.o. Valerie Brandes said: “The realisation of the advisory board marks a key transition in the development of Jacaranda as a business. The breadth of knowledge, expertise, and passion that they each bring, augurs very well for the continued growth and development of our publishing and means we can now look to the future with confidence. I am excited about what the board represents and what we will accomplish moving forward.”

The board is chaired by Rose, who called Jacaranda a “trailblazer” in the industry. Rose, whose experience includes leading change initiatives for non-profit and local government organisations, commented: “The team and leaders at Jacaranda being recognised by ACE affirms the years of success of the award-winning publisher, the efforts made to develop quality talent of colour in the team and the courage of authors to tell stories of real value."

Koomson, added: “When Valerie asked me to be a part of Jacaranda’s first advisory board I was honoured. WIth the plans that I have seen, Jacaranda will continue to go from strength to strength, and I’m excited to work with Valerie and the Jacaranda team, including this new board.”