Academic takes over as book festival’s new chair

An academic at the University of Derby has been named as the new chair of Derby Book Festival.

Professor Keith McLay, provost – learning and teaching at the university, takes over from Liz Fothergill CBE, the Lord-Lieutenant of Derbyshire, who has held the position since the festival’s inception in February 2015.

Professor McLay has been a Derby Book Festival trustee since 2019 and has provided an important link between the festival and the University of Derby, which is one of its key funders.

Professor McLay has also taken an active role at the festivals by interviewing several high-profile authors on both fiction and non-fiction.

His academic interests lie in military history, and he will interview the former head of the diplomatic service, Lord Simon McDonald, at the festival’s Spring Collection event, which runs from 29 February to 4 March.

Professor McLay said: “It is a privilege to be taking on the role of chair of trustees, which builds on the strong partnership that the university already has with Derby Book Festival.

“Events such as the book festival are of vital importance in promoting culture within our city, and it is encouraging to witness its growth and continuing success.

“As a civic university we champion the arts as a driver for positive change within our communities and the book festival plays a pivotal role in this.

“I am excited to see what this next chapter in our partnership will bring.”

Departing chair, Liz Fothergill CBE, has held the role for nine years (three terms of three years, the limit allowed by the festival’s constitution).

During this time, the festival has grown both in terms of the expansion of the festivals from one to three each year with increased ticket sales.

It has also expanded its reach across local communities through its community programme.

This includes the Shared Reading project, funded by National Lottery, supporting health and wellbeing in places like care homes and libraries and the schools’ programme involving around 18,000 children and young people through Meet the Author events and the Children’s Picture Book Award.

Liz, who will now take on a role as the festival’s first patron, said: “It has been a privilege and an absolute joy to chair Derby Book Festival during its first nine years.

“We have been well supported at every step of our journey with partners and local businesses especially keen to see another cultural gem in the city’s calendar.

“People have been brought together in a love of books and an appreciation of the positive impact that reading for pleasure can bring to all our lives.

“We have been honoured to host some world-class authors and, without exception, all have enjoyed the warmth and welcome from our audiences.

“It has been marvellous to work with such a talented, innovative and dynamic team, staff members and my fellow trustees and I know the festival will go from strength-to-strength as its outreach touches and enhances all our communities.”

For more details about the festival’s forthcoming Spring Collection, visit https://www.derbybookfestival.co.uk/whats-on/events .