Rose Goddard appointed executive director at Wimbledon Bookfest

Rose Goddard has been appointed to the newly created role of executive director at Wimbledon Bookfest, having acted as prize manager for the Women’s Prize for Fiction and head of trusts at arts and culture consultancy Achates.

Wimbledon BookFest is a year-round, community-focused celebration of books and culture. It brings world-class authors and speakers to venues across the Borough of Merton, including to schools and libraries. It also has an education programme supporting literacy in Merton and South-West London, with over 15,000 children taking part in literacy projects every year.

Over 2,000 school children are expected to attend events with guest authors Frank Cottrell-Boyce, Katie and Kevin Tsang and World Book Day authors Tọlá Okugwu and Louie Stowell between 25th and 26th March at the New Wimbledon Theatre. Moreover, Wimbledon Bookfest’s annual Autumn festival will run from 17th to 27th October in venues across Central Wimbledon.

In her new role, Goddard will focus on developing the strategic direction of the festival under the leadership of the festival director, Fiona Razvi. She will also be responsible for driving the financial and operational vision for the organisation as it enters its next phase.

“I’m delighted to be returning from maternity leave to take on the new role of executive director at Wimbledon BookFest under Fiona Razvi’s inspiring leadership," Goddard said. "As an arts and education charity, BookFest is rooted in its community with a stellar track record and global reach. We have an exciting next phase planned building on the festival’s great work championing diverse literary talent, opening up audiences through international as well as local partnerships and delivering its mission to support literacy via an exemplary schools programme."

Goddard began her career in publishing at Oxford University Press before moving to Penguin Random House, where she worked as assistant editor for Penguin Classics and Particular Books. She later ran the World Book Night and Quick Reads programmes at national charity The Reading Agency, before going freelance in 2018, working with a range of clients including the BBC and Forward Arts Foundation. Most recently she worked as prize manager for the Women’s Prize for Fiction and later as head of trusts at arts and culture consultancy Achates, before going on maternity leave at the end of 2022.

Razvi added: “This new executive director appointment represents an exciting time for Wimbledon BookFest as we embark on our next stage of development. Our work with audiences continues to grow, both for the  community and with our international partnerships, and Rose’s wealth of experience in publishing and arts charities makes her the perfect fit.”