Nariman Youssef succeeds Erica Hesketh as director of the Poetry Translation Centre

Director of the Poetry Translation Centre (PTC) Erica Hesketh is stepping down after eight years in the position. 

Hesketh will be succeeded by literary translator and cultural worker Nariman Youssef, who will begin their new role from 12th August. Nashwa Nasreldin joined the team as editor on 22nd July. 

During nine years working for the British Library, Youssef created the library’s first in-house translation operation and led a bilingual editorial team. She has also facilitated workshops with the British Centre for Literary Translation, Shadow Heroes, Shubbak Festival and Africa Writes. 

Youssef commented: "One day in 2005, I turned up at a PTC workshop after picking up a flyer that said, ’No knowledge of Somali necessary’. I soon became a regular, and those workshops formed the early foundation of my toolkit as a practicing literary translator. Fast-forward to today, the PTC marks its 20th year as a dynamic presence in the worlds of poetry, translation and publishing. 

"As its new director, I am honoured to be joining a team of talented individuals in upholding the PTC’s mission of committed creativity and shaping the next chapter in its evolving story."