We’re delighted to announce that Katie Popperwell has been selected as the new Chair of Manchester City of Literature’s Board of Trustees. As Chair, Katie will ensure we deliver on our mission to grow the literary ecology in Manchester, whilst being a passionate advocate for all our work including building international connections.

Katie was selected after an extremely competitive recruitment process, which led to much reflection within our Board of Trustees about Manchester’s literary future.

“For a small charity, UNESCO City of Literature has an unusually wide remit, acting as a resource in Manchester for publishers, and for libraries, but also for writers, from established figures to the many graduates of the city-region’s excellent writing programmes.  The position of Chair is vital to steering this work, and we met brilliant people with strong connections to the variety of work we do during this recruitment; in fact we learnt much ourselves, from the candidates we interviewed, about the depth of Manchester’s literature networks in the process.  It is an exciting time for writers and readers, and for publishers and libraries, in Manchester, and for its role in the wider UNESCO Creative Cities network, and we know the new Chair, Katie Popperwell, will help us and our networks to harness and connect that excitement across the city over the coming years.” 

– John McAuliffe, University of Manchester and Trustee

“Katie has been an invaluable trustee for a number of years, and we’re delighted that she will be stepping into this role to lead the organisation into the future. Not only is Katie a great asset to the charity in terms of her strategic know-how and her supportive, nurturing approach, she’s also embedded in our local creative landscape and a passionate advocate for literature and lifting up our local communities. We’re very excited to move forward with Katie at the helm of the board.”  

– Michelle Collier, Writer, Artist and Trustee

About Katie:

Katie Popperwell has over twenty years experience in creative production, programming and cultural strategy, and has devised international programmes of work in partnership with The British Council, Innovate UK and the Royal Society of the Arts.

Katie led the International Engagement Programme for the UK Gov cultural investment UNBOXED: Creativity in the UK, devising a global programme of live and digital commissions, heading up major international delegations and leading a global research enquiry into the role of cross-sectoral collaboration in sustainable development.

Prior to this, she worked on major arts and cultural festivals including Manchester International Festival and 14-18 NOW. As a consultant she has developed cultural strategy for businesses, universities, charities and community organisations.

As a critic Katie has contributed to a variety of publications and is a former presenter of BBC Radio 4’s flagship arts programme Front Row. As a native Northerner, lifelong book-lover, and passionate advocate for the power of literature to change lives, she is proud to be Chair of Manchester City of Literature.