Meet the team
Adrian Turpin
Festival Director
Adrian Turpin was director of Wigtown Book Festival in Dumfries & Galloway for 19 years, during which time he was awarded the OBE for services to literature and the economy. A journalist by training, he has written and edited for newspapers including The Sunday Times, Financial Times, Guardian and Independent.
Joanna Jacobson
Festival Administrator
Joanna grew up in Norwich and spent most of her adult life in Edinburgh before moving down to Dorset with her family, having spent many magical childhood summers in Purbeck. Along the way, she has worked as a life model, a tutor in social anthropology, trained in classical Indian dance, earned a doctorate, managed a yoga centre, and, most important of all, become a mum to two gorgeous daughters. She has been working for BridLit for nearly ten years.
Annette Smallwood
Assistant Festival Administrator
Annette began her career as a script editor, working closely with writers to develop ideas and adapt books for film and television. After moving to Dorset, her love of food, cooking and local produce led her to co-run the Eat Dorset Food Fair at Parnham House for ten years. More recently, she has worked in PR and marketing for a range of commercial and charitable events, alongside a growing focus on landscape painting across all media.
Andrea Jones
Company Secretary
Andrea specialises in bookkeeping, accounting, and office management. As an experienced financial professional, she carries a firm belief that no question is ever a silly one. When she’s not managing finances, you’ll find her on the Pilates mat and making good food with friends and family.
Mimi Francis-Mearns
Digital Communications Officer
Born and raised in Bridport, Mimi works with local independent businesses and initiatives as a creative communications specialist. After graduating from London College of Fashion with a degree in Fashion Journalism, she returned to Dorset to write about rural folk and youth culture, read by the sea, and gather her community through the arts.
Graham Shackleton
Designer & Web Developer
Graham grew up in West Yorkshire, where exploring the Pennine landscape inspired a lifelong interest in nature and storytelling. He works as a designer for an independent nature publisher, designs the Bridport Literary Festival programme, and is fascinated by the meeting point of creativity, landscape and story.
Meet the trustees
Stuart Rock
Chairman
Stuart was an award-winning business editor and journalist for more than 35 years, with a focus on entrepreneurs and high-growth companies. His career is bookended by a degree in English Language and Literature at Oxford and a Master’s in History at the University of Reading. He has been a trustee of BridLit since 2024.
Helen Carless
Trustee
Helen used to run Lawrences Auctioneers in Crewkerne and had been involved as a sponsor of the festival for many years. Now she has swapped places and helps coordinate the sponsorships and donations for the Festival. Ever since she moved to Dorset over 35 years ago, she has been very active in raising funds for local charities and organisations.
Tim Clarke
Trustee
Following a business career, Tim has also held trustee roles with several arts and educational charities. He has served as both CEO and a director of companies across a range of sectors and now works as a chairman and non-executive director for businesses in the hospitality industry. His experience in culture and education includes trusteeships with Birmingham Royal Ballet and the King Edward’s Schools Foundation. He is also a Foundation Fellow of Corpus Christi College, Oxford.
Deirdre Coates
Trustee
Deirdre has been involved with the festival for much of its 22-year history. With a background in publishing and education, she was naturally drawn to the festival and its programme. She established the Friends of BridLit and was instrumental in creating the BridLit Student Bursary. After serving as Chair of the Trustees for six years, Deirdre now focuses on supporting the Friends and administering the Bursary.
Diana Hall
Trustee
With more than 30 years’ experience in creative communications, Diana founded and led London agency MODUS BPCM before moving into higher education, business mentoring and advisory work. Today, her focus is on supporting voluntary and community organisations, bringing strategic organisational and communications experience to charities and local initiatives. Diana became a trustee in early 2026.
Rose Joly
Trustee
Rose began her career at a literary agency specialising in children’s literature, before moving into publishing and becoming a Director at British publisher Weidenfeld and Nicolson. Since moving to Dorset over 30 years ago, she has been involved in a range of local charitable organisations, including Macmillan Cancer Support. Rose has served as a Trustee of BridLit for the past four years.
Venetia Ross-Skinner
Honorary Trustee
In 2005, Venetia founded the George Millar Literary Talks in memory of her friend George Millar: a decorated soldier, SOE agent and escaped prisoner of war. The talks later evolved into the Bridport Literary Festival, with Tanya Bruce-Lockhart as its inspired organiser. Having lived in Dorset for over 60 years, Venetia has supported numerous local charities, including Winterbourne Hospital, Dorset County Hospital, the Red Cross and St John Ambulance.
Special thanks
Special thanks to Tom Hughes and Adrien Munden, part of the essential on-the-ground team during the festival.