Publishers Association at London Book Fair

We are very excited to be back at London Book Fair from 11th-13th March 2025. Do drop by to find out more about the Publishers Association’s work and membership. You can find us at Stand 4D02.

Please find a list of Publishers Association led or associated events below.

Apprenticeships Uncovered: The Benefits and Opportunities for Publishers
Tuesday 11th March 13:30, Focus Theatre

In this session you’ll hear from employers who are successfully using training programmes to address skills gaps and support Equity, Diversity and Inclusions goals – all while building a future-ready workforce.

We’ll also debunk common myths about apprenticeships and share inspiring stories from apprentices, their managers and those running apprenticeship schemes in publishing organisations. Discover how apprenticeships can deliver value to your business and shape the next generation of publishing leaders.

Speakers:

• Nicky Old, Director of Communications at The Publishers Association (Chair)
• Julia Thomson, HR Business Director at Bloomsbury
• Julie Fielding, HR Business Director at Dorling Kindersley
• Francesca Young, Associate Publishing Director at Dorling Kindersley
• Francesca Harper, Previous Apprentice at Dorling Kindersley
• Daniel Li – Book Market at Alain Charles Asia

AI and Copyright: Policy Developments in the UK and US
Tuesday 11th March 15:00, Main Stage

AI is here to stay and so are the policy debates that will shape its development and deployment for years to come. In particular, many publishers around the world are watching developments in the U.K. and U.S., where regulators, legislators, and courts are weighing legal disputes that could have global ramifications for copyright laws. Please join us for a British, American, and decidedly human discussion on the most important issue of the day.

Speakers:

• Porter Anderson, Editor-in-Chief at Publishing Perspectives (Chair)
• Maria Pallante, President and Chief Executive Officer at Association of American Publishers
• Dan Conway, Chief Executive Officer at The Publishers Association

Strong Partnerships for a Greener Publishing Industry
Tuesday 11th March 16:15, Tech Theatre

The ‘strengthen partnerships’ Publishing Declares pledge point commits signatories to “collaborate with our peers, authors, illustrators, supply chain partners and business partners to translate our climate aspirations and commitments into tangible actions to safeguard our planet for future generations”.

Jude Gates, Operations Director at Faber and Chair of the Publishers Association’s Sustainability Taskforce, brings together industry experts across the publishing supply chain to discuss how strong partnerships make for a greener publishing industry.

Speakers:

• Jude Gates, Operations Director at Faber and Chair of the Publishers Association’s Sustainability Taskforce (Moderator)
• Debbie James, Owner and Manager of Kibworth Books and Vice President of Booksellers Association of the UK & Ireland.
• Charles Light, Production Director at Harper Collins UK
• Sarah Burton, Deputy Chief Executive at The Society of Authors
• Alice Wood, Sustainability Manager at The Publishers Association

The 2025 Charles Clark Memorial Lecture
Wednesday 12th March (By invite only)

The Charles Clark Memorial Lecture has been held annually since 2008 to celebrate and remember the achievements of Charles Clark (1933-2006), who was a British publisher, lawyer and eminent national and international authority on the law of copyright. Professor Emily Hudson, Professor of Law at the University of Oxford, will deliver this year’s lecture, titled ‘What’s wrong with copying? AI, pastiche, and the case for radical inaction’.

This event is by registration only and is currently fully booked. If you would like to be put on the waitlist, please email Claudia Catelin.

The lecture is brought to you by a collaboration between Association of American Publishers’ (AAP), Copyright Licensing Agency (CLA), Federation of European Publishers (FEP), International Publishers Association (IPA), Publishers Association (PA) and Publishers’ Licensing Services (PLS).

Children’s Book Pitches
Wednesday 12th March (Closed event)

Delivered in partnership with the Booksellers Association, the Children’s Book Pitches allows the Publishers Association’s Children’s Publishers Group to pitch a selection of their exciting new titles to a room of independent booksellers.

LBF Lifetime Achievement Award [invitation only]
17:30-18:30, Main stage

Gloria Bailey, MBE, Associate Director for Export Services at the Publishers Association, is the recipient of the Lifetime Achievement Award for 2025. 

Throughout her career, Gloria has been instrumental in facilitating UK publishers’ international growth. She has coordinated export services and administered the Tradeshow Access Programme funding, helping numerous small publishers access global markets through international fairs.   Dedicating over 40 years to supporting publishers across the globe, Gloria has played a pivotal role in helping businesses of all sizes and specialisms to grow their exports. 

Knowing Your Worth and Empowering the Next Generation
Thursday 13th March 09:30, Focus Theatre

Explore how mentorship and leadership can empower women in publishing to advance their careers. It will offer insights on building confidence, fostering talent, and creating inclusive opportunities for future leaders.

Speakers:

• Elena Pasoli, Director of the Culture Business Unit at BolognaFiere Group
• Cassie Rocks, Co-Director at The FLIP and Marketing Manger at Collins, Harper Collins UK
• Perminder Mann, President of the Publishers Association