BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Simon Westcott, Chair

Simon joined Lonely Planet in February 2001 in the role of Global Publisher and joined the Board of Directors in December 2002. From June 2006 to February 2007 Simon also acted as Online Publisher. Simon has held a number of positions in the book publishing and newspaper industries. Most recently he held the position of Circulation Sales & Marketing Director at The Age. Prior to his two and a half year stint at the Age he was with the Trade Division of Reed Books in the UK for four years in various creative writing and marketing management roles. He also served as the researcher for Margaret Drabble, the UK based biographer and novelist for several years, and as the Deputy Managing Director of Bookwatch, UK. Simon has an MA in American Literature from Indiana University, a BA in English Literature from Oxford, and a Diploma of Music from the Royal Academy of Music in London. He also put in two years toward a PhD in English and American Literature before deciding publishing had more appeal than academia. Simon's speaks three languages and reads four. He is active in several community organizations.