Publishers and Members of Parliament celebrate another successful year for the UK publishing industry 

The Publishers Association was thrilled to once again welcome Members of Parliament and publishers to the House of Commons, to celebrate another successful year for the UK publishing industry.  

Andrew Lewer MP, Chair of the All-Party Parliamentary Group for Publishing, welcomed guests and said publishing has had a big impact in the last twelve months, growing by 4% to £6.9 billion.   

Antonia Seymour, CEO of IOP Publishing and President of the Publishers Association, highlighted the importance of attracting a diverse and inclusive workforce into publishing. This included noting how vital it is to ensure the industry is attracting new skills into the sector, to meet new demands as technologies, and a new way of life, begins to emerge.  

We were delighted to be joined by Bonnie Garmus, the bestselling author of ‘Lessons in Chemistry’. During her keynote speech, Bonnie shared her passion for reading and books, which stemmed from her own unique experiences as a child. She shared insights into her own publishing journey, whilst championing the sector and the difference it makes to individuals and society. Perhaps most memorably, she left us with the line ‘Shut up. And read’.