New Chief Executive appointed to NZ Book Council

The New Zealand Book Council Te Kaunihera Pukapuka o Aotearoa has appointed Jo Cribb as its new Chief Executive.
She was most recently Chief Executive of the Ministry for Women (2012-2016) and, before that, Deputy Children’s Commissioner.

“We are delighted to have appointed someone of Jo’s calibre to the CEO role,” Peter Biggs, Chair of the Book Council said.

“Jo is a proven leader and, very importantly, she has vast experience in delivering and executing transformation strategies and driving social change.
“These are vital skills as the Book Council works towards its goal of being an advocacy and agitation organisation creating thriving communities through reading.”

Jo Cribb said: “I’ve been a reader all my life and I have spent many years in leadership roles seeking to bring about social change in this country. This role brilliantly combines my two enthusiasms – leading a well-respected organisation into a new era and promoting social, cultural and economic well-being, resulting from a national love of reading – and supporting our renowned New Zealand writers.”

Peter Biggs added: “Jo has a stellar portfolio career and we support her in that. So, we have come to an innovative arrangement whereby she is contracted to the Book Council for a set number of hours per week – which will enable her to fulfil her other commitments.”

Jo Cribb takes up her new role on May 8.

She replaces Catriona Ferguson who has taken up the role of Association Director at the Publishers Association of New Zealand.

Peter Biggs pays tribute to Catriona Ferguson: “Catriona has done an amazing job as CEO of the Book Council over the last four and a half years. We thank her for her significant contribution to the Book Council and to this country’s literary landscape. We wish her well in her new role at PANZ.”