Colin Walsh

Areas of Interest

Business, Literature

Honorary Award

Honorary Doctor of Arts, 2010

Biography

Colin Walsh is co-founder of Book Production Consultants plc which offers an editing, design, production and print service from its Cambridge-base. The company has prospered since its formation, and has now produced in excess of 10,000 publications ranging from meticulously-crafted limited edition books, to PR promotions and academic papers. It is one of the UK's best-loved independent book publishers.

An expert in publishing, Colin has created his own career and business success.

He gained a BA in Psychology, joined The Spectator under the then editor Nigel Lawson, and then moved to book publishers Cambridge University Press in 1970. It was in 1973 that he co-founded Book Production Consultants with Tony Littlechild with capital of just £50, before joining the company himself some two years later.

Colin Walsh is perhaps not unsurprisingly a talented author himself who is a member of The Society of Authors. He has written some ten books and acts as a consultant to many publishing houses and retail groups. Despite being the Managing Director of such a thriving company, Colin has many other active responsibilities. Until 2003, he held the position of a Director of Business Link, and he has served for 20 years as a Member of Employment Tribunals, gaining an insight into many different forms of employment.

Colin has helped to initiate many new and exciting developments at Anglia Ruskin University including the introduction of the new Foundation Degree in Publishing. His incredible talents have helped our University to launch the arrival of CAMPUS, the new and already successful Cambridge publishing forum.

Citation

"Vice Chancellor, it is my pleasure to read the citation for Colin Walsh for the award of Honorary Doctor of Arts.

Colin Walsh is co-founder of Book Production Consultants plc, the first company in the UK to set up a complete publishing service for companies, institutions, organisations and individuals.

Offering a much-needed, fully-comprehensive editing, design, production and print service from its Cambridge-base, the company has prospered since its formation, and has now produced in excess of 10,000 publications ranging from meticulously-crafted limited edition books, to PR promotions and academic papers. It is one of the UK's best-loved independent book publishers.

An expert in publishing, Colin has created his own career and business success.

He gained a BA in Psychology, after which he spent three years working as an actor before stepping into the more lucrative world of print media. He started with The Spectator under the then editor Nigel Lawson, and then moved to book publishers Cambridge University Press in 1970. It was in 1973 that he co-founded Book Production Consultants with Tony Littlechild with capital of just £50, before joining the company himself some two years later.

Colin Walsh is perhaps not unsurprisingly a talented author himself who is a member of The Society of Authors. He has written some ten books and acts as a consultant to many publishing houses and retail groups. Despite being the Managing Director of such a thriving company, Colin has many other active responsibilities. Until 2003, he held the position of a Director of Business Link, and he has served for 20 years as a Member of Employment Tribunals, gaining an insight into many different forms of employment.

He has a real passion for publishing and particularly focuses on the development of the sector. He holds influential posts as Fellow of the Institute of the of Directors and of the Institutes of Paper, Printing and Publishing, and significantly, the President of the Publishing in Cambridge Association.

Colin continues to build further the reputation of his business. He is a witty and accomplished speaker who has recently contributed to several top international publishing conferences. Most notably, he chaired the House of Commons debate on the Future of Print and Publishing.

Colin continually encourages others into careers in publishing, and has links to universities throughout the East of England including Anglia Ruskin University. He has been a formidable mentor to the new publishing degree pathway at Anglia Ruskin, giving freely his time and advice; and has been a catalyst for building real and valuable industry connections.

Colin has helped to initiate many new and exciting developments at Anglia Ruskin University including the introduction of the new Foundation Degree in Publishing. His incredible talents have helped our University to launch the arrival of CAMPUS, the new and already successful Cambridge publishing forum.

Above all, Colin Walsh is known for his integrity and professionalism. He is a master within the world of publishing and it is for his immense achievements in his sector that we honour him today.

Vice Chancellor, it is my pleasure to present Colin for the award of Doctor of Arts, honoris causa."