New board members join The Reading Agency

The Reading Agency, the national charity committed to empowering people of all ages to read, has appointed two new board members: BARONESS SANDERSON and MAUREEN CORISH.

PAUL KELLY, Chair of The Reading Agency, said the pair's “combined expertise in public policy, libraries, and media communications will be invaluable as we continue to champion the transformative power of reading across the UK.”

Sanderson is a Conservative peer in the House of Lords. She has a background in journalism as a former feature writer with The Mail on Sunday and also served as an advisor to the former Prime Minister, Theresa May.

In September 2022,  she was commissioned by the Department of Culture, Media and Sport to undertake an independent review of English public libraries.

Her review made eight recommendations to better support public libraries and ensure their value as community assets is recognised.

Managing director of the B2B PR agency Pumpkin Corish has over 30 years of experience in media and communications.

She has also worked as a journalist and in publishing roles, including UK and International Communications Director for Penguin Random House.

Sanderson said: “I look forward to supporting The Reading Agency's crucial work in promoting reading for pleasure and harnessing its potential to address some of society's most pressing challenges. Together, we can ensure that the joy and benefits of reading reach every corner of our nation.”

Corish added: "Everything changes when you read, and I'm delighted to be joining the Reading Agency and their inspiring and committed board.

“I'm honoured to have the opportunity to support their incredibly important mission of promoting reading for pleasure.”