CLICK HERE TO ADD YOUR EVENT

Roland Gulliver to step down as Associate Director of Edinburgh International Book Festival

Roland Gulliver is to leave his role as Associate Director of Edinburgh International Book Festival in spring 2020 to take up an exciting new role which will be announced shortly.

Roland Gulliver to step down as Associate Director of Edinburgh International Book Festival

Article Source: Edinburgh International Book Festival
Last Updated: 6 December 2019 15:11

Following a highly successful 13-year tenure at the Edinburgh International Book Festival, Roland Gulliver is to leave his role as Associate Director in spring 2020 to take up an exciting new role which will be announced shortly.

Gulliver departs having a made an enormous contribution to the development of the Book Festival's programme helping maintain its position as the world’s premier literature festival which in 2019 welcomed authors from over 60 nations. As well as programming major set piece strands such as the Stripped events featuring graphic novelists and comic creators, he has also worked closely with many of the Festival's guest selectors including US activist DeRay Mckesson in 2019. He has developed vibrant programme partnerships with many organisations, such as the acclaimed multi-year Hearing the Voice project with Durham University and a series of high-impact discussions with partners including Kings College London and The New York Times. He has brought spoken word into the programme at a level not seen before, thanks to his collaboration with poets Luke Wright and Becky Fincham, has developed a new strand of Reading Workshops and relaunched the Creative Writing Masterclasses.

Gulliver has also been a passionate campaigner for programming which opens out the festival to new audiences during August, as well as with the Festival’s year-round community activities, including a spectacular event to celebrate Muriel Spark’s centenary year. Perhaps his highest profile success has been the development and growth of the free evening Unbound programme, which has set the standard for live literature programming worldwide and featured the likes of Neil Gaiman, Hollie McNish, Nile Rogers and launched the Fun Lovin’ Crime Writers.

Nick Barley, Director of the Book Festival, said: "Roland has applied his exceptional creative skills to every facet of the complex Book Festival programme. His talents have included incisive research that has uncovered emerging superstars; relationship-building with publishers and authors which has established deep trust with partners across the globe; eye-opening timetabling combinations of authors who I'd never have imagined pairing in an event; gimlet-eyed chairing selections - people who so often had just the right skills to put an author at ease; and high-profile, signature event programming that helped the festival write headlines across the literary world.

“His contributions to set-piece events such as The Freedom Papers and Throwing Voices was sophisticated and smart. Roland has, quite simply, had a seismic impact on the Edinburgh International Book Festival and it has been an unparalleled joy to work with him over the past decade."


Roland will continue to work with Nick Barley and the rest of the Book Festival team on the 2020 programme until late-February before taking up his new role. Recruitment for a new Associate Director for the Edinburgh International Book Festival will take place over the next few weeks.

Sponsored Links

Escape The Past
Renfrewshire Council
Murrayfield Experience
Murrayfield Experience
Children's Classic Concerts
Edinburgh Street Historians
Wonder & Co

Latest Edinburgh News

Community group for families effected by suicide say art can be empowering

Community group for families effected by suicide say art can be empowering

With Friday 10 October marking World Mental Health Day, community group, Lothians Speak Their Name, have shared the ‘powerful’ effect that art has had since the passing of their loved ones.

READ MORE
Football legends lace up for 150 mile charity walk inspired by Marcus Stewart, Stephen Darby and the late Doddie Weir

Football legends lace up for 150 mile charity walk inspired by Marcus Stewart, Stephen Darby and the late Doddie Weir

Former Celtic and Scotland football heroes to join ex-player with MND on 150-mile March of The Day to raise funds to help tackle the disease.

READ MORE
First winners announced for GUITARGUITAR Scottish Music Awards

First winners announced for GUITARGUITAR Scottish Music Awards

Amy MacDonald, Hue and Cry, Nathan Evans and The Saint PHNX Band, Skipinnish, Shay O'Dowd and James Emmanuel are among the first winners to be announced for the GUITARGUITAR Scottish Music Awards!

READ MORE
Book Week Scotland 2025 programme announced

Book Week Scotland 2025 programme announced

Scotland's national celebration of books, Book Week Scotland, returns from 17th to 23rd November and tickets are on sale now!

READ MORE
Step into stories of Scotland this October with Living History

Step into stories of Scotland this October with Living History

Scotland’s colourful past bursts to life this October as Historic Environment Scotland (HES) returns with its popular Living History programme for the school holidays.

READ MORE
Amber restaurant joins forces with The Real Mary Kings Close for Halloween programme

Amber restaurant joins forces with The Real Mary Kings Close for Halloween programme

This October, The Real Mary King’s Close, one of the UK’s top-rated experiences on TripAdvisor, partners with Amber Restaurant for a Halloween experience on the Royal Mile.

READ MORE
Scottish single mother turned her passion for protecting the planet into a royal range for Balmoral

Scottish single mother turned her passion for protecting the planet into a royal range for Balmoral

Ten years ago Laura Thomas returned to the UK with two children and just £200. Now with a booming business to her name, this East Lothian entrepreneur is designing ranges for Balmoral Estate.

READ MORE
Autumn events at Marine & Lawn Hotels & Resorts Collection

Autumn events at Marine & Lawn Hotels & Resorts Collection

Marine & Lawn Hotels & Resorts Collection have launched new offerings designed for cosy coastal retreats and joyful pre-festive celebrations.

READ MORE
Scottish Women and Girls in Sport Week launches to inspire the nation with Find Your Fit campaign

Scottish Women and Girls in Sport Week launches to inspire the nation with Find Your Fit campaign

The Scottish Government's Women and Girls in Sport Week launches this week, celebrating the power of movement and encouraging women and girls of all ages to get active in ways that work for them.

READ MORE
Finnish Long Drink Breaks Fringe Records for Summerhall Arts

Finnish Long Drink Breaks Fringe Records for Summerhall Arts

Lonkero, Finland’s iconic long drink, has made history at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe by serving a record-breaking number of pints at Summerhall’s courtyard - while raising vital funds.

READ MORE
Last call for supporters to share their Murrayfield Memories as centenary celebrations beckon

Last call for supporters to share their Murrayfield Memories as centenary celebrations beckon

HUNDREDS of fans from Scotland and across the globe have been sharing their most treasured memories of Scottish Gas Murrayfield as the stadium prepares to mark its centenary year.

READ MORE
HIV ALOUD: RAISE THE CURTAIN

HIV ALOUD: RAISE THE CURTAIN

The Edinburgh Playhouse and Waverley Care are pleased to announce a new collaboration, HIV ALOUD: RAISE THE CURTAIN, an arts initiative to share stories of those living with HIV.

READ MORE
Unlimited adventures for less than a tank of petrol

Unlimited adventures for less than a tank of petrol

With the October school holidays fast approaching, ScotRail has unveiled a new, affordable way for families to make the most of the break!

READ MORE
Jali Film Weekender announces Full Programe

Jali Film Weekender announces Full Programe

Jali Collective is proud to reveal the full programme for the first ever Jali Film Weekender, taking place at Filmhouse, Edinburgh from 30 October – 2 November 2025.

READ MORE
Lead Casting announced for Mean Girls

Lead Casting announced for Mean Girls

Lorne Michaels, Crossroads Live and Sonia Friedman Productions are delighted to announce initial casting of the award-winning Mean Girls The Musical.

READ MORE
Cafe Calton Unveils Seasonal Evening Menu and Pre Theatre Dining Experience

Cafe Calton Unveils Seasonal Evening Menu and Pre Theatre Dining Experience

Perched atop the iconic Calton Hill, Café Calton has unveiled its new Autumn/Winter Evening Menu, alongside a specially curated Pre-Theatre Dining Experience.

READ MORE
October at Virgin Hotels Edinburgh

October at Virgin Hotels Edinburgh

From Cocktail Week to Artist in Residence, discover Virgin Hotels Edinburgh's events taking place in October!

READ MORE
Seachdain na Gaidhlig (World Gaelic Week) 2026 launches with rallying call to use it, or lose it

Seachdain na Gaidhlig (World Gaelic Week) 2026 launches with rallying call to use it, or lose it

Seachdain na Gàidhlig will return in 2026, under the banner Use It or Lose It – and organisers are encouraging people across Scotland and the global diaspora to get behind the rallying cry.

READ MORE
Brits brewing up a storm: Macdonald Hotels reports coffee surge

Brits brewing up a storm: Macdonald Hotels reports coffee surge

Brits are now picking up the cafetière, with Macdonald Hotels & Resorts revealing a 10% rise in coffee sales across its 32 UK hotels and resorts in the past year.

READ MORE
Bonnie & Wild and Fierce Beer team up for craft bar residency

Bonnie & Wild and Fierce Beer team up for craft bar residency

Craft brewery Fierce Beer shows appetite for Bonnie & Wild with launch of new bar residency and tailored food and drink pairings.

READ MORE
Local Charities and Communities at the Heart of Edinburghs Christmas 2025

Local Charities and Communities at the Heart of Edinburghs Christmas 2025

Spreading Christmas cheer, Edinburgh’s Christmas offers over 8,500 free tickets to local community groups and charities.

READ MORE
Spooky season brings horror icons and vampire romance back to the big screen at Vue

Spooky season brings horror icons and vampire romance back to the big screen at Vue

Some of the latest horror blockbusters – alongside creepy classics, enchanting family favourites and the ever-popular Twilight Saga – will all be heading to Vue venues this Halloween.

READ MORE
Two Edinburgh Bakeries launch unique Macaron and Cake Tower

Two Edinburgh Bakeries launch unique Macaron and Cake Tower

Mademoiselle Macaron and Mimi’s Bakehouse have announced a new collaboration which combines handcrafted French macarons with signature sponge tiers in a bespoke macaron and cake tower.

READ MORE
Full Line up Announced for Soundhouse Winter Festival

Full Line up Announced for Soundhouse Winter Festival

The 2025 Soundhouse Winter Festival returns from Thursday 27 November to Monday 1 December at the Traverse Theatre in Edinburgh, thanks to support from The National Lottery through Creative Scotland.

READ MORE
Hard Rock Edinburgh goes pink for PINKTOBER

Hard Rock Edinburgh goes pink for PINKTOBER

Hard Rock Edinburgh is honouring Breast Cancer Awareness Month this October through Hard Rock International’s 26th annual PINKTOBER campaign.

READ MORE
The Wee Waddle is back at Edinburgh Zoo

The Wee Waddle is back at Edinburgh Zoo

From tomorrow (Thursday 2 October) Edinburgh Zoo’s penguin colony will take part in the Wee Waddle, a reimagined version of the world-famous Penguin Parade.

READ MORE
Christmas Launch Weekend at Dobbies Garden Centres marks the start of the festive season

Christmas Launch Weekend at Dobbies Garden Centres marks the start of the festive season

Christmas has come early as Dobbies Garden Centres kicks off the season in style at its Christmas Launch Weekend which takes place from Thursday 9th to Monday 13th October.

READ MORE
Breast Cancer UK is launching its bold Street Nipples campaign in Edinburgh

Breast Cancer UK is launching its bold Street Nipples campaign in Edinburgh

Breast Cancer UK is launching its bold ‘Street Nipples’ campaign, uniquely transforming everyday pavement studs across Edinburgh into striking reminders for people to check their breasts.

READ MORE
CCC treats audiences to a frightfully delightful family concert this Halloween

CCC treats audiences to a frightfully delightful family concert this Halloween

Children's Classic Concerts return with their popular Halloween concert performances in Glasgow and Edinburgh later this month!

READ MORE
Edinburgh families sleeping in layers of coats just to stay warm

Edinburgh families sleeping in layers of coats just to stay warm

The Leith Collective launches annual Winter Coat Exchange and hopes to make it more accessible than ever.

READ MORE

Sponsored Links

Hilton Glasgow
Murrayfield Experience
TGC Leisure
Fayre Play
Hilton Glasgow
Open Pass Scotland
ATG

Sponsored Links

Escape The Past
Renfrewshire Council
Murrayfield Experience
Murrayfield Experience
Children's Classic Concerts
Edinburgh Street Historians
Wonder & Co
Hilton Glasgow
Murrayfield Experience
TGC Leisure
Fayre Play
Hilton Glasgow
Open Pass Scotland
ATG

Popular Events

War Horse
The National Theatre’s global smash-hit production of War Horse returns to the Festival Theatre in October 2025!
Conifox Terror Scream Park
Terror Scream Park, Edinburgh’s most intense 18+ horror event, launches for the very first time this autumn at Conifox Adventure Park.
The Wiggles Tree of Wisdom Spectacular!
The Wiggles will bring their most magical live show experience to date, the Tree of Wisdom Spectacular, to Edinburgh's Usher Hall on Monday 6th April!
Luke Combs Tribute
Nearly Combs, the Luke Combs Tribute show, has announced a show at Leonardo Hotel Edinburgh Murrayfield on Thursday 20th November!
Crafternoons
Looking for something fun to do with the kids during the October break? Then come along to these FREE arts and crafts sessions at the Scottish Parliament every day (except Sundays)!

Popular Listings

Corn Exchange Haddington Edinburgh Playhouse Festival Theatre Edinburgh Howden Park Centre Livingston Kings Theatre Edinburgh National Museum of Scotland O2 Academy Edinburgh The Brunton Theatre, Musselburgh Traverse Theatre Usher Hall