Peggy Hughes announced as Chair of Literature Alliance Scotland

Category: News

The Board of Trustees of Literature Alliance Scotland have announced Peggy Hughes as its new Chair.

Ms Hughes, who directs Literary Dundee, has a wealth of experience within Scotland’s literature community, working in various roles over the years at StAnza, Edinburgh International Book Festival, Scottish Poetry Library and Edinburgh City of Literature Trust before joining Literary Dundee, at the University of Dundee, as Director in July 2013 where she produces and delivers the annual Dundee Literary Festival, coordinates the Dundee International Book Prize and a variety of events, publications and projects throughout the year.

She also founded Edinburgh’s Electric Bookshop and co-founded the West Port Book Festival. In addition to her new role leading the LAS Board of Trustees, Ms Hughes is a board member of Craigmillar Literacy Trust and regularly chairs events at literary festivals and panels.

Donald Smith, LAS Vice-Chair, who led the recruitment process for the position, said: “Peggy’s experience, vigour and demonstrable track record makes her the best person with the will, capacity and opportunity to lead LAS for the next three years.”

Peggy Hughes, said: ‘I’m truly delighted to be joining Literature Alliance Scotland as chairperson, and really looking forward to building on the work of the inimitable Ann Matheson, and working in concert with wonderful colleagues across our literary community – it’s like getting the chance to conduct a world class orchestra!

“Literature Alliance Scotland plays such a vital and exciting role in uniting writers, publishers, educators, librarians and literature organisations and presenting a strong collective voice for Scotland’s literature.

“It’s a challenging global picture, but literature and stories have a huge part to play in understanding ourselves and in bridging understanding with others, and LAS is central to making those stories and voices travel. I can’t wait to get stuck in.”

CILIP in Scotland is a member of the Alliance.