National Literacy Trust appoints publishing industry veteran as chair

The National Literacy Trust (NLT) has named Joanna Prior as its next chair.

She has been at publishing giant Penguin for the last 20 years, most recently as managing director of Penguin General Books and is to become chief executive of Pan Macmillan next month.

“I am thrilled to take on the role of Chair of Trustees at the NLT, a charity whose mission has been close to my heart for many years,” said Prior, who replaces Dame Julia Cleverdon, who had been chair since 2013.

“I look forward to using my position as Chair to help the continued growth and change the life stories of more disadvantaged children across the UK through literacy.

“By forging new partnerships between the private, public and third sector, I passionately believe we can take the charity to the next level. It is an honour to follow Dame Julia who has made such a significant contribution to the Trust.”

Prior has been a trustee at the Trust for the last eight years and has been its vice chair for the last three years.

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NLT chief executive Jonathan Douglas added: “We are absolutely delighted to welcome Joanna Prior as chair of the NLT’s board of trustees. She has been a valued member of the board for a number of years.

“I know that the NLT will benefit both from her experience of leadership of the publishing and literacy and reading charity sectors. I look forward to working closely with her as the charity recommits to its mission to support literacy in the UK’s poorest communities, the levelling up areas, as they recover from the pandemic.”