Chief
Executive of the New Zealand Book Council, Noel Murphy(left), is returning to the
United Kingdom after five years in the position.
Council
chair, Peter Biggs said the move was a “great loss” to the Council and to the
literature scene in New Zealand.
“Noel has
tremendous knowledge of books, authors and the whole book sector and has played
a major role in ensuring that the Council meets its strategic goal of
motivating and educating New Zealanders to read and write books, and treasure
our writers and this country’s stories,” said Peter Biggs.
Mr Murphy is
to take up a new position in London with a significant international publishing
house.
“I have
greatly enjoyed working with the Book Council and with the literary community
in New Zealand. The Book Council’s work on behalf of authors, engaging
with schools and communities has been enormously rewarding and I am very sorry
to be leaving – but this new role in London is a massive opportunity for me,”
he said.
The Council
will be seeking applications for the CEO position and plans to make a new CEO
appointment by the time Mr Murphy leaves in October.
“The
Council’s work as a leading advocate of New Zealand’s literature, and literacy
in general, is of huge importance to the cultural development of the country
and we will be seeking a top performer to build on the good work that Noel has
done, “said Peter Biggs.
1 comment:
Very sad to see Noel go: he's been such a supportive, experienced and vital figure in the NZ lit scene.
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