Will Forrester is to join English PEN on 1 April 2019. He takes over from Theodora Danek who has taken up a role as co-publisher at Tilted Axis Press.

Will’s experience working on Commonwealth Writers at the Commonwealth Foundation and his extensive knowledge of world literature bring strong credentials. He will lead PEN Translates, English PEN’s grant programme, promote the World Bookshelf and lead on International Translation Day and other translation related projects.

Antonia Byatt, Director of English PEN, said:

We are delighted to welcome Will to the PEN team. It is a crucial role in literature in translation, particularly as PEN moves towards its centenary in 2021,  when we will be celebrating freedom of movement and ideas. Will brings energy, commitment and imagination and I look forward to working with him in the next few months.