Poole to leave CILIP in March 2024

CILIP c.e.o. Nick Poole is leaving the organisation after eight years to join the trade association for the UK video games and interactive entertainment industry.

Poole will leave CILIP in March, taking on his new role as c.e.o. at Ukie in April.

He told The Bookseller: “As the son of a journalist and a schoolteacher, my career has been driven by a belief in the power of storytelling and in empowering people to model a better world. It has been an absolute privilege to be able to explore this passion during my time at CILIP, working with so many brilliant authors, illustrators, publishers and, of course, librarians and information professionals.

“These have been challenging times in many ways, but I think there are also lots of reasons to be optimistic. The huge increases in readership and library registrations during the pandemic, the flowering of fiction for children and young people and the rise of new platforms like BookTok all point towards the fact that when people of all ages want to understand the world around them, they turn to books and reading. It has been my great pleasure to be part of that.”

He described how powerful games can be for storytelling and emphasised the connectedness of the two trade bodies: “Although it feels like a major shift, my new role at Ukie is not so far away from my work at CILIP. Video games and interactive entertainment are also all about storytelling – using the most cutting-edge technologies to place the player at the heart of the story."

He added: “The video games industry is already a major economic force in the UK, accounting for more than £7.4bn in annual revenue. We now stand at the threshold of a new era, in which technologies like AI and new hardware will enable developers to create richer, more interactive narratives. My role at Ukie will be to ensure that the amazing businesses driving this industry get the recognition and support they deserve, while also ensuring that the games workforce is as diverse and inclusive as possible.”

Back in September, he discussed how the books industry should consider the opportunities of tech such as AI rather than just seeing it as a threat. “Each new technology is potentially brilliant, potentially has huge risks, and we just need to get good at understanding them,” he said at the time.

Now Poole is working with the CILIP board to organise a clear transition plan, aiming to begin recruitment for a replacement before the end of November.

Poole added: “With an outstanding team, brilliant trustees and a strong financial position, CILIP is looking to the future with real ambition.”

A statement on CILIP’s website said Poole “has elevated CILIP’s profile and influence in the UK and internationally”.

CILIP said: “An exceptional advocate for the profession, Nick has enabled CILIP to move to a more proactive ‘campaigning’ approach to advocacy, political and media relations, launching a series of highly successful initiatives. A real thought-leader, Nick led the team which saw the successful launch of the UK’s first-ever Green Libraries Campaign, and more recently had the spark of an idea that became ‘Libraries Rewired’ – CILIP’s sold-out digital and tech-focused annual conference.”

His achievements also included building up the organisation’s team, overseeing the development of our #WeAreCILIP strategy, and delivery of key initiatives including the launch of CILIP’s refreshed Code of Ethics, the Changing Lives programme promoting inclusive, participatory and socially-engaged library and knowledge service and the Arts Council England-funded "Managing Safe and Inclusive Library Services: A Practical Guide".

CILIP chair Sue Lacey Bryant praised Poole’s “extraordinary commitment, expertise and professionalism with which he has led CILIP through a period of rapid changes" and that he has "raised the profile of both CILIP and the profession as a whole".

She added: "As a lasting legacy, and working closely with the board, Nick has ensured our long-term financial sustainability as an association, leading the sale of CILIP’s previous premises and the winding-down of our legacy pension scheme. So, as we look forward, CILIP is in good financial health with an ambitious programme for the future and a strong staff team.

“We are currently commissioning a suitable agency to help us launch the search for our next c.e.o. In the meantime, Nick continues to be at the helm, and the board and I have put in place appropriate management arrangements through the transition to ensure that we will continue to deliver services and fulfil our commitments to members, partners and funders.”