UK young publishing entrepreneur 2009 award winner announced at London Book Fair

Davy Nougarede was presented with the prestigious award by Ian Hudson, Random House Deputy CEO and President of the Publishers Association, at an industry-wide British Council UKYPE awards ceremony at the London Book Fair on Wednesday 22nd April.  The ceremony was hosted by Andrew Senior, Head of Creative Economy at the British Council.  

Nougarede was chosen from a shortlist of finalists, who all took part in a 10-day study tour of the Indian Publishing sector in early 2009, attending the Jaipur Literature Festival, The Kolkata Book Fair, and meetings with Indian publishers in Delhi.  On their return, they were interviewed about their experience by a panel of judges, chaired by Anthony Cheetham, who chose the winner based on their understanding of both the UK and the Indian market, and their abilities to spot new opportunities in the latter. 

Nougarede said of the publishing tour: “Being part of the British Council’s delegation has been a unique opportunity to meet leaders of India’s publishing industry and discuss audiobooks as a new product for their market.  India has a long tradition of storytelling and here the growth in demand for new technologies (MP3 players, games consoles, mobile phones) is second only to China’s.  In a country where literacy falls below the UNESCO threshold of 75%, audioboooks will enable literature to be enjoyed by children and adults, even if they have never felt confident enough to read a book for themselves.  I hope I have been able in some small way to introduce and encourage the concept of the spoken-word recording – and its carriers – as a publishing and a retail opportunity.”

Commenting on Nougarede’s work, the judges said: ”Davy embodies everything that a young publishing entrepreneur should be.  He has passion, confidence, expertise and business acumen.  The judges were impressed with his polished presentation, where all aspects were thoroughly researched and all eventualities were thought through.” 

The UKYPE 08 prize accredits Nougarede with £5,000 to be spent on a project that links with the Indian Publishing Industry.

Launched in 2007, the UKYPE award seeks to further stimulate the development of the UK publishing industry in an international business context. The aim is to find the most talented young entrepreneurs working in the UK’s publishing industry and give them the chance to become part of the British Council’s international network of young creative entrepreneurs.

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For further information, images or to request an interview, please contact Eleanor Hutchins, 020 7389 4981 or eleanor.hutchins@britishcouncil.org

Notes to Editors:

·       In the spirit of engagement, collaboration and partnership, the UK Young Publishing Entrepreneur (UKYPE) award celebrates entrepreneurial ability within publishing, and focuses on strengthening the engagement between the UK and publishing in emerging markets, seeking to further stimulate the development of the UK publishing industry in an international business context. For more information, please visit: www.creativeconomy.org.uk/ukype09   

·       The judges for 2009 UKYPE were Anthony Cheetham, Helen Fraser (MD of Penguin Books), Christopher Paterson (Publishing Consultant and Former Director of Macmillan Education), Marion Sinclair (Chief Executive of Publishing Scotland), Francesca Rhydderch (Editor New Welsh Review and Freelance Editor), Emma Hayley (Director of Self Made Hero and winner of the UKYPE award in 2008), Andrew Senior (Head Creative Economy Unit at the British Council) and Susanna Nicklin (Head of Literature at the British Council).

·       The British Council works in over 100 countries and territories worldwide to build intercultural understanding between the UK and other countries through the arts, education and training, science and technology, sport, good governance and human rights. For more information, please visit: www.britishcouncil.org