Wednesday, November 28, 2012

Faber and University College London launched a new scholarship to help people get into publishing.


David Tebbutt Scholarship created


Faber and University College London (UCL) have launched a new scholarship in memory of Faber’s former finance director, David Tebbutt, which will help people get into publishing.

The annual prize will sponsor one person each year, beginning in 2013, to undertake UCL’s MA in publishing. It will be funded by the David Tebbutt Trust, which is jointly administered by the publishers and the Tebbutt family. As well as funding the full fees for the course, the scholarship will also include a work placement with Faber.

Stephen Page, Faber’s publisher and chief executive, said: “David always took a great interest in those coming to the industry from diverse backgrounds, and was characteristically generous with his time and energy towards them. I know how pleased he would be to be associated with this award. It is fitting to his memory and honours him appropriately.”

Oliver Tebbutt, David’s son, said: “My father was dedicated towards publishing and the book trade. Never having the opportunity to gain a degree himself, the idea of a scholarship that furthers people’s education to pursue careers within the field of publishing would appeal to him greatly. We are very pleased to announce the David Tebbutt Scholarship, I know it would make my father extremely happy and I hope it can help people enter the industry that he loved.”

Tebbutt was 58 when he was killed in Kenya last September, when he and wife Judith were attacked by a Somali gang. Judith Tebbutt was taken hostage and later released after 193 days of captivity, following the payment of a ransom.
Tebbutt worked at The Harvill Press and at Routledge before his time at Faber.

Professor Iain Stevenson, director of the Centre for Publishing (CfP) at UCL said: “I am very touched and delighted by the generosity of the Tebbutt Trust and Faber in creating this prestigious award. David was an admired professional colleague and very supportive of our activities in the past. It is good to know that his memory will be perpetuated by this award funding the career aspirations of someone who otherwise might not be able to study publishing.”
He added: “David took a great interest in new ideas and at a time of rapid change, I feel sure his innovative spirit will continue to inspire and inform our teaching and research.”

Details about the scholarship can be found at www.ucl.ac.uk/publishing, and at www.faber.co.uk



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