The Publishers Association (PA) has announced the appointment of Rebecca Sinclair as its new President. Sinclair, who serves as the Chief Brand Officer at Penguin Random House UK, assumed the role during the association’s Annual General Meeting held today at the British Library.
Sinclair takes over the presidency from Mandy Hill, Managing Director of Academic at Cambridge University Press & Assessment, who will remain an Officer of the association. Joining the leadership team is Steven Inchcoombe, President of Research at Springer Nature, who has been named Vice-President and Treasurer.
During her inaugural address, Sinclair emphasized the Publishers Association’s vital role in cultivating an environment where writers, researchers, and creators can thrive. She noted that the fundamental pillars of the industry—specifically copyright protection and freedom of expression—are facing growing pressure, making their defense a top priority for her tenure.
Sinclair also highlighted the National Year of Reading as a unique opportunity to champion the value of books. She expressed her ambition to modernize the industry’s narrative, turning it into an inclusive and accessible invitation for all readers, while ensuring that these initiatives leave a permanent impact on the literary landscape.
The event featured a series of panels co-hosted by Sinclair and bestselling author Adele Parks MBE, focusing on the transformative power of reading. The discussions brought together literacy champions from across the UK to address three key areas:
• Community Impact: Strategies for encouraging reading within local hubs like Bradford and Nottingham.
• Educational Excellence: Making reading rewarding and relevant within the school system.
• Rehabilitation: Utilizing reading programs to transform lives within the prison system.
The association also confirmed several high-profile additions to its Council to help steer the industry forward:
• Mary Cannam, Chief Executive at Faber
• Kathleen Farrar, Managing Director of Group Sales and Marketing at Bloomsbury
• Julian Wilson, Sales and Marketing Director at IOP Publishing
In her closing remarks, Sinclair expressed her optimism for the future, asserting that the publishing industry remains resilient and adaptable. She pledged to represent all sectors of the trade while championing the significant contributions publishing makes to the UK’s economy and the wider global society.
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