UQP appoints new director

The University of Queensland Press (UQP) has appointed publishing industry leader Ben James as Director.

Mr James replaces Jill Eddington, who retired in 2017. Publishing Director Madonna Duffy has been acting in the role.

Mr James said he was thrilled to have the opportunity to lead UQP.

“UQP is one of Australia’s leading independent publishing houses, with a diverse list and a long history, so naturally I’m delighted and honoured to lead this organisation,” he said.

He said he would work  with UQP management and staff to expand the publisher’s  reputation for quality fiction, non-fiction, poetry, and scholarly and children’s titles.

UQP Board chair and University of Queensland Pro-Vice-Chancellor Professor Tim Dunne said Mr James’s expertise would be extremely valuable.

“His appointment ensures UQP will remain an agile and sustainable business into the future,” he said.

UQP was established in 1948. Mr James, who will start at UQP on 25 March, has a background in publishing, strategic business management and digital product development.

He has held leadership positions at Cengage Learning Australia and Macmillan Publishers.

Contact: Kylie Rathborne, kylier@uqp.uq.edu.au, +61 7 3346 7932.