ALCS appoints author and strategist Jo Revill as new Chair
Writer and former government adviser Jo Revill has been appointed as Chair of the ALCS Board for a three-year term.
As the author of two books and a former health and political journalist, Jo brings considerable knowledge to the role of the needs of writers and the economic pressures they face in a fast-changing creative landscape.
Her expertise in healthcare and communications has taken her to impressive heights; from 2008-10, and following a career at the Evening Standard and The Observer newspapers, she was a special adviser to Alan Johnson, when he was Health Secretary and Home Secretary.
Jo has a strong background in growing membership organisations, working as a director at the Royal College of Surgeons of England before spending eight years as a CEO, firstly at the British Society for Immunology and until recently leading the Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health, global leaders in advocacy and policy work to improve children’s and young peoples’ lives.
She will succeed children’s author Tony Bradman when he steps down in December after six highly successful years in the post, having led the organisation to considerable membership and income growth during this period, as well as working with the Board and staff to see through the challenges of Covid and important copyright negotiations.
Barbara Hayes, CEO of ALCS said of Jo’s appointment:
“I’m delighted that Jo has taken up the role of Chair for ALCS. We are navigating some uncharted waters in the current economic and political climate and her experience in leading membership organisations and her advocacy work will help us develop our strategies to protect and promote authors’ rights for the future.”
Jo commented:
“It’s a great privilege to be taking on the role of Chair at such an important time for writers. ALCS provides a phenomenal service to authors, enabling them to be paid what they’ve earned but also in providing a compelling voice for more innovation and much greater support and protection for their creativity. I believe that in a rapidly changing digital landscape, it’s crucial that we remain outward-looking and engaged. ALCS members, whose work spans so many different media, will have thoughts about what our future should look like so I’m keen to understand their perspective over the course of the next year.”
Outgoing Chair, Tony Bradman said:
“All good things must come to an end and I’m sad in many ways to be stepping down as Chair of ALCS after six years – it’s a wonderful company with a great staff. But the appointment of Jo Revill as the next Chair leaves me feeling reassured that ALCS will be in safe hands. Jo has a terrific track record, and I’m absolutely certain she will help to lead ALCS to even greater success.”
Jo Revill will formally take up the role of Chair on 1 January.
