LONDON, Tuesday 18 February 2025: The London Book Fair (LBF) has today announced that Gloria Bailey, MBE, Associate Director for Export Services at the Publishers Association, is the recipient of the Lifetime Achievement Award for 2025.
Throughout her career, Gloria has been instrumental in facilitating UK publishers’ international growth. She has coordinated export services and administered the Tradeshow Access Programme funding, helping numerous small publishers access global markets through international fairs – including The London Book Fair, Frankfurt, Bologna, Shanghai, Beijing, Sharjah, and many more. Her role in promoting UK publishing internationally also involved working in close collaboration with the UK Government.
Gloria’s influence extends well beyond logistical support: she is highly regarded for her professionalism, grace, and calm demeanour, as well as deep knowledge, exceptional work ethic, and personable nature – making her a central figure in the publishing community. Dedicating over 40 years to supporting publishers across the globe, Gloria has played a pivotal role in helping businesses of all sizes and specialisms thrive within the industry.
Gloria Bailey, MBE commented: “When I joined the Publishers Association in 1983, I never imagined I was embarking on a journey which would lead to me receiving this prestigious accolade from the publishing community. It has been a pleasure and an honour to represent UK publishers at more than 120 editions of international book fairs and trade missions in all four corners of the world, helping companies of all shapes and sizes find new markets and audiences. To have played a small role in the global success of UK publishing has been a remarkable experience. But my greatest joy has been the people I have worked with – my colleagues and members at the Publishers Association, organisers and attendees at book fairs, and everyone I have met in the course of my work and travels. I cherish these memories and share this award with them.”
Adam Ridgway, Director of The London Book Fair, said: “We are absolutely delighted to recognise Gloria’s luminous career with this year’s Lifetime Achievement Award. Gloria is a real example of one of the hardest-working individuals in the industry, helping UK publishers of all sizes grow and do business internationally. As well as professional impact, skills and achievements, the award also aims to spotlight individuals with exceptional work ethics and attitude. Throughout her career, Gloria has shone for her gracious and kind manners. Colleagues and clients alike describe her as reliable, patient, and highly approachable, and someone who inspires confidence and makes the most complex tasks seem manageable. We are looking forward to celebrating Gloria’s incredibly well-deserved honour at The London Book Fair.”
David Roche, Chair of the Judging Panel for the Lifetime Achievement Award, said: “The LBF Lifetime Achievement Award Judging Panel was blown away by this year’s stellar shortlist representing a multitude of sectors across the publishing and book industry. The 2025 winner stands out as personifying what this award is about. Gloria Bailey has devoted her entire career to helping thousands of individuals and companies understand and overcome international borders and connect with fellow publishers across the world. Gloria has achieved this with exceptional knowledge, skill, reliability, diplomacy and a calm assurance – there will be no more popular recipient of this award than Gloria.”
Dan Conway, CEO of the Publishers Association, said: “Gloria Bailey commands the respect and admiration of all of us in the publishing industry who’ve had the privilege to work with her over the years. She has served publishers in the UK and internationally for over 40 years with commitment, kindness, and energy and I can’t think of a more deserving winner of this illustrious Award.
Perminder Mann, CEO of Bonnier Books UK and President of the Publishers Association, said: “It is difficult to think of a more deserving recipient of this award than Gloria Bailey. In her decades of service to the publishing industry, she has helped businesses of all kinds successfully navigate international book fairs. Not only does she do a great job, but it’s always done with a smile. Gloria is a force of nature and a complete joy to work with. Hugely respected and valued by all who encounter her, she is an incredible ambassador for the industry.”
Caroline Summers, CEO of PBShop, said: “I have had the absolute privilege of working with Gloria over the past 15 years or so. From international book fairs to trade missions, Gloria has the wonderful knack of being able to think about every conceivable detail that might help makes things run smoothly for you. Her knowledge of the publishing industry is second to none and she is always willing to freely share her wisdom and go that extra mile to make sure everyone around her feels at ease and welcome. If you are new to the industry, Gloria will take you under her wing and give you all the information you need to feel right at home. Whether you are walking down the aisle in Frankfurt or jumping on a coach in Beijing, the first thing you see is Gloria’s huge smile with that fabulous sense of fun shining through”.
Kate Wilson, Group CEO of Nosy Crow, said: “Gloria combines her deep knowledge of people and places and the publishing business with exemplary personal characteristics: she is reliable, calm, tolerant, patient, practical, engaged and kind. She’s also fun to be with. She inspires confidence, she seems to think of everything, and nothing is too much trouble for her. She is one of the stand-out people in my career in publishing to date.”
Abdul Kadir Thadha, Managing Director of Sweet Cherry Publishing, said: “Gloria has been an invaluable supporter of Sweet Cherry Publishing since our inception 12 years ago. In our early years, she was a constant presence at rights fairs, offering guidance and championing UK publishers. Her dedication to ensuring strong UK representation at international events has been instrumental. I have many fond memories of working with Gloria, but one that stands out was our first time exhibiting at the Shanghai Children’s Book Fair. Her coaching and support were invaluable in helping us navigate the fair and secure rights deals. Gloria’s passion for publishing and her unwavering support for UK publishers are truly remarkable. I am thrilled that she is receiving this well-deserved honour.”
Simon Littlewood, Publishing Consultant and PA Board Member of FEP, said: “Gloria has devoted her whole working life to furthering the cause of British book and journal exports, in particular to enabling our small and medium-sized publishers to participate in book fairs all round the world. Wise, thoughtful, knowledgeable, competent, and a delight to work with, she has made a career-long contribution to consolidating the UK industry’s position as the world’s leading exporter of books and journals, and a jewel in the crown of our creative industries.”
Emma House, Managing Director of Oreham Group, said: “Gloria is a firm fixture at international book fairs, and with her decades of experience in supporting UK publishers overseas she has championed and fostered global relationships. The impact of her career is evident in the initiatives she has launched, the friendships she has built and the respect she has garnered on the international stage.”
The Lifetime Achievement Award committee, composed of the independent LBF Advisory Board, selected Gloria Bailey from a shortlist of leading international figures in the book industry. The Award recognises an individual who has made a truly significant mark in the sphere of the global book world. It is open to publishers, agents, editors, scouts, booksellers and anyone else involved in the international book industry from any country in the world.
Gloria Bailey will be presented with her award at a reception during The London Book Fair, at 5:30pm on Wednesday 12th March, on the Main Stage. More details here.
PREVIOUS LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT AWARD WINNERS:
2024 – YoungSuk (YS) Chi, Elsevier, USA & UK
2023 – Klaus Flugge, Andersen Press, Germany
2022 – Hiroshi Hayakawa, Hayakawa Publishing, Japan
2021 – Margaret Busby, Allison & Busby, UK
2020 – Nigel Newton, Bloomsbury Publishing, UK
2019 – Dorotea Bromberg, Brombergs Bokförlag, Sweden
2018 – Sara Miller McCune, Sage Publishing, US
2017 – Luiz Schwarcz, Companhia das Letras, Brazil
2016 – Gail, Baroness Rebuck DBE, Penguin Random House, UK
2015 – Peter Usborne, Usborne, UK
2014 – Deborah Rogers, Rogers, Coleridge & White, UK
2013 – Michael Krüger, Hanser Verlag, Germany
2012 – Jorge Herralde, Editions Anagrama, Spain
2011 – Sonny Mehta, Alfred A. Knopf, Inc., US
2010 – Antoine Gallimard, Éditions Gallimard, France
2009 – Drenka Willen, Harcourt, USA
2008 – Peter Mayer, Overlook Press and Duckworth, UK & USA
2007 – Lord Weidenfeld, Weidenfeld & Nicolson, UK
2006 – Christopher MacLehose, MacLehose Press, UK
2005 – Lynette Owen, Pearson Education, UK
2004 – John Lyons, Little, Brown, UK & USA
The London Book Fair (LBF) is the world’s largest spring book trade and publishing event and will return to its home at Olympia London from 11 – 13 March 2025. Visitor registration is now open, at this link.
To apply for a press pass for The London Book Fair, please visit:
www.londonbookfair.co.uk/pressreg
