The Edinburgh International Book Festival today announces celebrated writer, broadcaster, and publisher James Crawford as the Festival’s new Chair of the Board of Directors.
The author of ten books including The Edge of the Plain: How Borders Make and Break Our World, which investigates the shifting geopolitics of a world beset by climate change, James joins a number of new faces on the board as the Festival enters a new era under director Jenny Niven and in its new home at Edinburgh Futures Institute.
Bringing a nuanced understanding on topics ranging from law, history and technology, to globalisation and mass migration, James brings practical expertise on both the media and publishing landscapes thanks to his current roles as Editor-at-Large for the celebrated independent Scottish publisher Birlinn/Polygon, and as writer and presenter of landmark BBC One series Scotland from the Sky; and from previous experience, including asChair of the Board at industry body Publishing Scotland.
James joins recent Board appointees, disability advocate Tomas Gerrard, award-winning writer Yassmin Abdel-Magied, fundraising and sponsorship expert Hannah Hyde, and Anna Frame, Communications Director at publishing house Canongate, all of whom have been elected to the Board in the past 12 months.
James will take up his role in September after the current chair, Alan Little, steps down at the end of this year’s Festival.
James Crawford, incoming Chair of the Edinburgh International Book Festival Board of Directors said: “I was just seventeen when I first travelled to Edinburgh to visit the Book Festival, and I have been coming back ever since – first as an audience member, then as a publisher and author.
“The strength of the Festival has always been the melting pot of ideas, discourse, argument, imagination and inspiration that it offers. It is embarking on a new chapter now – with a new director and a new home – and it is a privilege to support Jenny and her team as they shape their vision for the Festival’s future.
“While challenges lie ahead, the importance of book festivals – both what they are and what they represent – should never be underestimated.”
Jenny Niven, Director of the Edinburgh International Book Festival, said: “We are delighted to welcome James as Chair of the Board.
“As well as being a highly experienced writer, editor, broadcaster and chairperson, Jamie is hugely respected in literature and publishing, and understands the festival and the wider sector from a range of perspectives.
“He’s extremely well placed to help us achieve our goals to make the Book Festival as widely relevant as possible, to create opportunities for writers and the creative community and to champion good information and the exchange of ideas.
“Myself, the Board, and the wider Festival team are looking forward enormously to the energy he’ll bring as we open a new chapter for the Book Festival, and to working with James in the years to come.”
Jenny took up the role of Director in September 2023, taking over from Nick Barley who had been in post since 2010. A leading cultural producer and director, she has worked in literature for 20 years.
Founder and Director of the award-winning Push the Boat Out, a festival of poetry, spoken word and language she was also formerly Executive Producer of Dandelion 2022, of the Edinburgh International Culture Summit, and was Head of Literature at Creative Scotland from 2014-2018. She has extensive international experience; Jenny co-founded Beijing’s first Book Festival, and was Associate Director at the Wheeler Centre for Books Writing and Ideas in Melbourne.
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The 2024 Edinburgh International Book Festival runs from 10 – 25 August, and takes place for the first time at the new Edinburgh Futures Institute on Lauriston Place.
For more information on Edinburgh International Book Festival visit: https://www.edbookfest.co.uk/
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