Dr Harriet MacMillan Announced as trust's new Director
Ruth Plowden
Board Chair
Edinburgh City of Literature Trust
07 May 2025
Edinburgh UNESCO City of Literature announced that Dr Harriet MacMillan has been appointed as the charity’s new Director
Dr Harriet MacMillan has accepted the offer of Director position with Edinburgh UNESCO City of Literature Trust. With a background in literature, international and domestic programming, arts funding and fundraising, Harriet is perfect for the role. During her time as Literature Officer with Creative Scotland, she managed five iterations of the Momentum Literature in partnership with Festivals Edinburgh and the British Council. She was manager of the Forward Prizes, the world’s leading prizes for poetry, has three degrees in English Literature and Creative Writing, was a tutor at the University of Edinburgh, and is a writer herself
Ruth Plowden, Chair of Edinburgh UNESCO City of Literature Trust, said:
“It is with great pleasure that we welcome Harriet as Director of the world’s first UNESCO Creative City. Her appointment marks a new chapter in our twenty-year history and I am confident that she will build on Ali Bowden’s pioneering work in the city and continue to enhance Edinburgh’s literary reputation and connections abroad. In a strong field of applicants, Harriet’s stellar academic and professional achievements and passionate articulation of her ambitions for the charity, city and network inspired us all. We look forward to working with her.”
Harriet MacMillan said:
“As I was born and bred in Edinburgh, my lifelong love of literature also began here. Edinburgh’s stories are its lifeblood and we have so much to celebrate. I am so excited and privileged to have the opportunity to take the organisation forward into this new chapter, as we share those stories and create new ones - shaping a literary future that is as rich, varied and brilliant as our history.”
Harriet will be taking up the post in June 2025.
The Edinburgh UNESCO City of Literature Trust gratefully acknowledges the support of the City of Edinburgh Council, and thanks the donors and partners who make our work possible.