Rose Goddard appointed Executive Director at Wimbledon BookFest

The Executive Director role will focus on developing the strategic direction of the festival under the leadership of the Festival Director, Fiona Razvi, and will be responsible for driving the financial and operational vision for the organisation as it enters its next phase.

Rose Goddard said:

“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.

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. I’m so excited to get going alongside Fiona, the brilliant festival team and board of trustees.”

Rose 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.

Fiona Razvi, Festival Founder and Director said:

“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.”