BDAS-Navigating Change: Leadership, Creativity, & the Future of Publishing

Description

This event explores the dynamic evolution of the publishing and creative industries through the lens of Stevens extensive experience. It delves into how technological advancements, sector strategies, and leadership approaches are reshaping creative communities, with particular attention to engagement with UK Government through bodies such as the Creative Industries Council and regional growth in cities such as Bristol. Hosted by Nikesh Shukla, award-winning novelist and screenwriter, the event will also address the continued technological developments and their implications for the creative sector; highlighting opportunities for innovation, collaboration, and sustainable leadership in a rapidly changing cultural and economic landscape.

About Stephen

Stephen is Non-Executive Chair of Faber & Faber, one of the worlds leading independent literary publishing houses, where he was Chief Executive from 2001 to 2021.

Stephen grew up in the midlands and studied History at Bristol University. His career in publishing began in bookselling, after a mercifully brief period as the drummer in a rock band. He discovered his love of literature in his early 20s, and worked at Transworld, 4th Estate and HarperCollins in commercial and leadership roles before being appointed to run Faber in 2001.

Stephen also works closely with government and sits on the Creative Industries Council, where the UK Government and the Creative and Cultural sectors work together to seek ways to ensure that these sectors thrive. He also sat on the Creative Growth Task Force, informing the recent Sector Plan for the Creative industries.

He is a visiting Professor at City, University of London, Chaired the social enterprise Creative Access, ensuring that there is access to all Creative Industries for all. He has also recently trained as a business coach runs his own coaching practice.

He remains a drummer in a 90s cover band, The Landline. He is married with two sons and lives in West London. In 2022 he was awarded an OBE for services to publishing.

About Nikesh

He won multiple awards for writing the short film Two Dosas starring Himesh Patel and has worked in multiple writer’s rooms including on projects for Apple TV, Amazon Prime, HBO and Sky. In 2024, he was a Sundance Institute Fellow on their prestigious screenwriting lab.

Nikesh recently released the first book in his kids’ series, The Council Of Good Friends. He is also the author of three YA novels, Run, Riot (shortlisted for a National Book Award), The Boxer (longlisted for the Carnegie Medal) and Stand Up.

He is the author of Coconut Unlimited (shortlisted for the Costa First Novel Award), Meatspace and the critically acclaimed The One Who Wrote Destiny.  Nikesh’s book, Brown Baby: A Memoir Of Race, Family And Home was longlisted for the Jhalak Prize and is in development to be a feature film. He has also written a book on writing called Your Story Matters, having taught creative writing for years at Faber Academy, Arvon Foundation, University Of Bristol, Bath Spa and various other places. Nikesh has mentored writers and helped launch the careers of people who have gone on to become bestsellers, award-winners and culture-shifters.

Nikesh is the co-founder of The Good Literary Agency. He was one of Time Magazine’s cultural leaders, Foreign Policy magazine's 100 Global Thinkers and The Bookseller's 100 most influential people in publishing in 2016 and in 2017. In 2024, he won the Malorie Blackman Impact Award at the Diverse Book Awards.

Nikesh is the editor of the bestselling essay collection, The Good Immigrant, which won the reader's choice at the Books Are My Bag Awards. He co-edited The Good Immigrant USA with Chimene Suleyman, and a collection of writing by young people called Rife. He has been a youth worker in Bristol, where he lives, an Observer Magazine columnist, done anti-racism work for a football club and takes his shoes off when visiting other people's houses.

Event Timings

18:00 Arrival & registration in Foyer.

18:30 Event starts in Cinema 1 / livestream begins.

19:30 Q&A.

19:45 Event ends / livestream ends.

19:45-21:00 Networking and drinks

About BDAS

The Bristol Distinguished Address Series (BDAS) is brought to you by UWE Bristol, and provides an opportunity to hear unique perspectives and insights from change makers, activists, entrepreneurs, and people who have achieved amazing things in Bristol and beyond.

Book your place

You can attend this event in person, or watch online via live-stream.

Attending in-person: Watershed, Bristol. Further information on how to find us will be emailed to you a few days before the event.

Attending online: The livestream link will be emailed to you a few days before the event.

Accessibility

UWE Bristol welcomes all abilities/disabilities, ages, ethnicities, and genders to our events. If you have any questions, concerns or additional requirements then please let us know, by contacting events@uwe.ac.uk, so that we can make your time at this event as comfortable as possible.

Venue information:

Disabled parking: No

Step-free access: Yes

Accessible toilets: Yes

Assisted Listening: Yes

Guide/assistance dog-friendly: Yes

Quiet spaces available: Yes

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Official photography, filming and live streaming is taking place at this event. Please be aware that we will be taking photographs at this event for publicity and promotional purposes. Images may be included in University publications, University promotional materials and published on the University website and social media channels. If you would prefer not to be photographed, please let a member of the events team know when you arrive at the event.

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