Clive Nettleton has been appointed to succeed Sara Harrity MBE as Director of Book Aid International, from 30th July 2007. He has extensive experience in international development and support of marginalised communities. Clive was Director of Health Unlimited for fifteen years, having previously worked for The Refugee Council and World University Service. He was a founder Trustee of BOND (British Overseas NGOs for Development).
Originally from South Africa, Clive describes one of his key achievements as the development of People's College a 24 page educational supplement in The World, the largest circulation newspaper in South Africa in the 1970s. The supplement carried materials ranging from post-literacy to secondary school levels, supported by a network of learning groups. A year after the launch The World was banned by the apartheid government. Clive was served with a banning order and came to Britain as a refugee in 1979.
Clive sees realisation of the right to education and information as critical to development: “Book Aid International has the potential to play a hugely important role in supporting our partners to provide access to information which can be used to transform people's lives” he says. “Knowledge gives people the power to participate in making changes which will lift them out of poverty. Book Aid International has the strategy and people in place to make a real difference, and I look forward to working with my colleagues and our partners to increasing the scope and effectiveness of our work”.