Publishing Scotland Names Sheila Pinder as Its New CEO Publishing Scotland Names Sheila Pinder as Its New CEO
Bursary Description
Sheila Pinder. Image: Publishing Scotland
By Porter Anderson, Editor-in-Chief | @Porter_Anderson
Deadline for Frankfurt Bursary Applications: July 10
Among the international book publishing industry’s busiest national advocacy agencies, Publishing Scotland—now in its 51st year—operates as a charity and a membership organization, acting as the voice and network for book publishing.
It also is under new management. Sheila Pinder has been named to succeed Marion Sinclair as the organization’s new CEO, and that’s being announced just as five bursaries are being offered by the program for publishing businesses or individuals to use in exhibiting and participating at the Scotland trade stand at Frankfurter Buchmesse (October 15 to 19).
‘New Books Scotland’ is Publishing Scotland’s spring and summer catalogue for 2025
This is the first time since 2022 that Publishing Scotland has offered the bursaries for Frankfurt and each of the five checks is worth £1,000 (US$1,362). Those who win a bursary can use it to market and exhibit their titles, and work on buying and/or selling rights. Eligible applicants will be six to eight years into their work in publishing and making their first foray into Frankfurter Buchmesse.
If you’d like to make quick work of an application, the form to use to register for the Go See Frankfurt 2025 Bursary for new and emerging publishers is here.
Translation Fund Deadline: August 18
Meanwhile, Round 1 of the Publishing Scotland Translation Fund is also now open, offering international publishers financial assists in paying for the translation of Scottish writers’ work—the program’s flagship international outreach effort.
Full information and application material on that one is here, and the deadline is August 18.
Sheila Pinder’s Appointment
After a competitive recruitment process, Pinder’s appointment to the CEO role is being announced with enthusiasm.
Kate Gibb
“Sheila was a standout choice for CEO,” says Kate Gibb, Publishing Scotland’s board chair.
“She is a passionate supporter of book publishing, with a strong interest in AI and the environment. She joins Publishing Scotland at a time of rising need and opportunity, bringing proven leadership and deep expertise in publishing, distribution, and business delivery.”
Pinder’s extensive background includes work at B.T. Batsford and a decade with Chapman Bounford & Associates, producing work for publishers including Harper Collins, the United Nations’ Environment Program, Octopus, Osprey, and DK.
She led the United Kingdom’s IPG, organizing the annual conference, and was for seven years with NBN International, she was instrumental in the rebirth of the distribution company under its ownership by the US-based Rowman & Littlefield Publishing Group.
The organization’s media messaging says Pinder believes that all regions of the United Kingdom should be able to host thriving creative sector businesses. Since 2022, she has worked with the academic publisher Agenda in Newcastle-on-Tyne in business development, and she also currently chairs the advisory board at the Birmingham-based Nine Arches Press.
More from Publishing Perspectives on Scotland is here, more on international translation and publication rights is here, more from us on translation is here, and more on Frankfurter Buchmesse is here.
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