Adam Ridgway has been named director of the London Book Fair, succeeding Gareth Rapley, who took the spot in 2022. Rapley had earlier worked in the energy sector for RX (Reed Exhibitions), owner of the fair, and will return to the energy sector with a promotion to portfolio director. He will work with Ridgway for two months to help in the transition.
 |
|
| Adam Ridgway | |
Ridgway has 36 years of experience working for conference and exhibition organizers on both consumer and business events in a variety of industries. He commented: "I'm excited to be stepping into the role of LBF director and want to pay tribute to what Gareth has achieved over the past couple of years. This year's fair received some incredibly positive feedback from both visitors and exhibitors, with attendance growing to over 33,000. I know there is still work to be done as the Olympia redevelopment continues apace until its conclusion in 2026, which will present many opportunities for the future of the fair. I look forward to meeting colleagues across the industry, keeping dialogue open and understanding more about how we can deliver even better value for the industry year on year."
Rapley said, "It has been a fantastic two years as director of LBF, in which time it has been a privilege to be a part of the book industry and meet many of the incredible champions of reading and literacy from around the world, that make the industry such a unique and creative place. I leave LBF knowing that it is in a strong position, having continued to bounce back strongly after the pandemic. I have worked with Adam for several years and I know that he will bring a huge amount to the role."