WORLD BOOK DAY® ANNOUNCES NEW TRUSTEES AND STRATEGIC ADVISORY GROUP

New appointments see the charity World Book Day® include more expertise and insight to support its development and encourage more children to love reading.

The charity World Book Day® announces the appointment of Richard Flint and Will Obbard as Trustees. The new appointments come at a significant time, as World Book Day sets out an ambitious new strategy to deliver greater reach and impact, building on the reputation and recognition of the World Book Day® brand and annual campaign.

• Richard Flint is President, Europe at Claire’s Accessories
• Will Obbard is Commercial Director at Merlin Entertainments

Both join the charity’s board which is chaired by Emma Scott.

World Book Day is currently recruiting two further Trustees from bookselling and publishing. More information can be found here.

The charity has also re-formed its Strategic Advisory Group, which includes key figures from bookselling, publishing, reading and literacy charities, schools and libraries. The Strategic Advisory Group will bring their advice and insight to help develop World Book Day’s impact. The full membership of the group can be found here.

Emma Scott, Chair of World Book Day said: “We’re thrilled to welcome Richard and Will to the World Book Day board. Their skills and experience, and passion for World Book Day’s charitable purpose, will be invaluable as World Book Day sets out to achieve our ambitious strategy for 2023-27. These new appointments, and the range of expertise represented on our Strategic Advisory Group, will see World Book Day make an even more powerful impact on reading for pleasure in the future”.

Richard Flint, President, Europe at Claire’s Accessories said: “World Book Day is a charity with huge potential and an immensely important purpose, so I’m delighted to be bringing my experience and expertise to the team, helping move their ambitious strategy forward and make World Book Day even more impactful.”

Will Obbard, Commercial Director at Merlin Entertainments said: “I’m really excited to join the World Book Day Board and support the ambition to provide more children with the opportunity to enjoy reading. The charity has a much loved brand and does an incredible job to promote reading for enjoyment but I believe there is scope to do so much more and cant wait to be part of the journey”