Katie Gledhill has over 25 years of experience championing books and reading, both as a manager of bookshops and as a chartered Librarian. Katie is a senior leader at West Sussex Libraries and has delivered a number of Arts Council projects that promote reading in innovate and inclusive ways. Katie is passionate about how books have the power to change lives, and has been an active member of the Reading ULO for a number of years, before becoming chair of the group in April 2026.

Cheryl is a children’s public library / literacy specialist with over 30 years experience in school librarianship, public libraries and schools’ library service settings. With Margaret Duff, she leads the Children and Young People’s offer for Manchester Libraries and is Hub Manager for the city-wide literacy campaign, Read Manchester, delivered in partnership with National Literacy Trust.

Tabitha is Chief Executive of Libraries Rising (formerly ASCEL), the national network of leaders in children’s public libraries and schools library services.

She has worked in libraries for 25 years, is a chartered librarian and formerly Head of Library Service . She has also worked as Regional Development Manager at Libraries Connected.

Sarah Lawrance is the Publications and Heritage Programmes Manager at creative ageing charity Equal Arts. Sarah has worked in collections-based roles in the arts and culture sector for over 30 years, including at Seven Stories the National Centre for Children's Books where she was responsible for developing a nationally important archive of children's books, manuscripts and artwork. Working with Equal Arts since 2022, Sarah has led the development of a new dementia-friendly publishing imprint, Open Ended Books, and is programme lead for the Reading with Dementia collaboration with Newcastle Libraries. 

Sarah is also a member of the Designation Panel at Arts Council England. 

Trudy Lowen graduated from Aberystwyth in 1985 and took up a position as a secondary school librarian in Derby. She then became a FE college librarian/manager for 10 years in 2 colleges in Derbyshire. She moved into public libraries in 2003 as Community Librarian in Nottinghamshire libraries based in Worksop. She then took the post as Sure Start librarian for Derbyshire libraries in 2008. This was a wonderful post, working directly with the Sure Start Children’s Centres and taking the library service to families, meeting them where they were in the community. After a restructure in 2023, her current post is as Library manager for 8 libraries in Derbyshire and also with responsibility for the Children’s Promise offer across the county.

Cathy Petersen qualified as a librarian from Aberystwyth University and has worked for Derbyshire Libraries for 30 years, over 25 as a Children’s Specialist, and for the last three as the Stock librarian for the County. Over the years she has worked on numerous projects with a wide variety of partners within libraries and communities, as well as on national initiatives.

Mark McCree is Head of Libraries and Heritage for Oxfordshire County Council. He has led this service for over 4 years, having previously been Head of Libraries in Blackpool and, before that, the Senior Manager for Library and Heritage Services at RNIB. In his ‘spare time’ he is Chair of The Combined Regions (focused on resource sharing and discoverability), and Share the Vision, a coalition of pan-sector library organisations focused on improving the accessibility, availability and quality of library services for people with a sight or print impairment. As part of his work with Share the Vision, he oversees the Share the Vision Promise, which sits alongside the Children’s Promise as part of the Universal Library Offers framework.

Andrea Hardaker is the Digital Development Officer for Bradford Libraries, with a background in journalism, arts, marketing and community engagement.

After working as Social Media Manager and Coordinator for Blaize Community Arts and serving as Creative Director on the board of Ilkley Literature Festival, Andrea delivered creative writing workshops and live events across the district. Her work with libraries led to roles within Bradford Libraries, including Young Persons Development Officer, before taking up her current post in 2025.

Today, Andrea oversees digital development, marketing and social media activity, alongside managing the Shipley Library Enterprise Hub. She has organised a wide range of events spanning business, digital innovation, live music and community engagement, helping to position libraries as vibrant, modern spaces for learning, enterprise and culture.

Dewi Smith is a Programme Manager at Cwmpas, specialising in digital inclusion, media literacy and digital skills. He manages Digital Inclusion Wales alongside projects helping people navigate the digital world safely and confidently. Previously leading Digital Communities Wales, Dewi has extensive experience of working with libraries, local authorities, health services and community organisations to tackle digital exclusion. He brings a practical understanding of the barriers people face and expertise in helping organisations embed digital inclusion in their services, strategies and everyday practice.