The Booker Prize Foundation is responsible for awarding The Booker Prize and The International Booker Prize for literature in translation - the world’s two most influential prizes for single works of fiction.

As well as awarding these prizes, the Foundation fulfils its mission to promote the art and value of literature for the public benefit through various schemes, initiatives and projects. The charity supports a range of activities which foster the reading and writing of high-quality literature, in the belief that such work can be for anyone and that reading has the power to change lives.

The Booker Prize Foundation created and remains central to ‘Books Unlocked’, a programme which operates alongside National Prison Radio in 90 prisons and young offender institutions, enabling prisoners throughout the UK to hear and read outstanding contemporary fiction.

The Foundation believes that visual impairment should not be a barrier either to enjoying contemporary fiction of the highest standard or to joining in the debates and discussions which surround each year's prize. An annual donation enables the Royal National Institute of Blind People (RNIB) to produce Talking Books formats of each year's prize shortlist as well as the winners of both prizes in Braille. These projects reflect the Foundation's desire to promote greater engagement with literature, increased awareness of the importance of literacy, improved self-esteem, empathy and an enhanced sense of social inclusion.

14 years ago, the Foundation created the UEA Booker Prize Foundation Scholarship at the University of East Anglia. Each year it funds a post-graduate student on UEA’s celebrated Prose Fiction writing course. Many Booker Prize Foundation scholars have gone on to be published and to receive great acclaim.

All of this work is supported by a lively, digitally sophisticated and award-winning editorial operation, which speaks directly to readers. It has enhanced the impact of all its activities using a range of digital tools and platforms, as well as via a number of creative partnerships and real-world events. Spokespeople for the Booker Prize Foundation’s work have included former President Barack Obama, pop superstar Dua Lipa, and Her Majesty the Queen.

Since 2019, The Booker Prize Foundation has been funded by Crankstart, the charitable foundation of Sir Michael Moritz and Harriet Heyman; this initial term has been extended until 2024.

Role specification

The Trustees oversee the activities of the Foundation, working together to develop a strategy composed of three 'pillars', which are to:

1. Preserve the integrity and renown of the Booker Prizes by:

• Ensuring that the prizes are awarded after an independent, robust and impartial judging process so as to promote high quality contemporary fiction to the widest audience and, in particular, to a new generation of readers in English
• Maintaining the reputation of the Booker Prize as an internationally-recognised benchmark of literary excellence and, where possible, further extending its outreach and appeal
• Consolidating the International Booker Prize as a benchmark of the importance of contemporary fiction in translation and rewarding authors and translators in equal measure

2. Produce, in carrying out its year-round digital programme, editorial content which will bring readers together and enhance their experience of contemporary literature

3. Support readers and writers of the future

The Trustees are mindful of the need to assess the success and impact of the Foundation in meeting its objectives. They consider equity to be fundamental to the Foundation’s intentions, and mean to ensure that the organisation is structured for diversity of thought and equity of access. They also review, both quantitatively and qualitatively, the media, critical and academic coverage of the books and authors selected, the coverage of the awards, and the public response in terms of the sales and library loans of the selected books.

The Booker Prize Foundation is looking for up to three new Trustees. It is particularly interested in those with either a writer / broadcaster background, expertise in strategic / corporate development or in-depth understanding of education / outreach programmes.

Writer / broadcaster: With Bidisha Mamata and James Naughtie coming to the end of their terms on the Board, the Foundation is keen to hear from those with a print, digital or broadcast media background. Those involved in publishing are not eligible.

Strategic / corporate development: As it looks to continue on a strong financial footing in the year ahead, the Foundation also welcomes interest from those who have some experience of developing businesses and/or of fundraising, and can bring a broad appreciation of financial, legal or risk matters; this may have been gained in an advisory capacity, for example within a professional services context, or through a strategic, general management background.

Education / outreach programmes: With a strong social purpose going beyond the prizes, the Foundation would also value someone with expertise in participation and engagement, who can advise on building partnerships and developing programmes to broaden its impact.

The Board would welcome applications from those looking to take on their first non-executive position. All they ask is that candidates have a real enthusiasm for quality fiction and a commitment to furthering the Foundation's mission.

The Foundation also wants to ensure that its Board represents the rich diversity of the UK and therefore encourages interest from all those who feel that they match any of the areas highlighted above, no matter who or where in the UK they may be.

Mark Damazer CBE, Chair
Nick Barley
Tony Damer
Carol Lake OBE
Sir Ben Okri
MT Rainey OBE
Professor Dame Louise Richardson
Nicki Sheard
Lord David Willetts

You can find out more about the Board here.

This role is unremunerated, but reasonable domestic travel expenses will be reimbursed. Trustees serve for a three-year term, which is renewable twice at the discretion of the Board.

Board meetings occur in March, June, September and December of each year. They are generally at 10.30am and last for a maximum of three hours.