“A standout independent publisher of his generation, it’s not an exaggeration to say that Andrew has been an inspiration for thousands of people in the industry,” said Emma Lowe, Director of The London Book Fair, in announcing the award.

By Andrew Richard Albanese, Editor-in-Chief

The London Book Fair has announced that Andrew Franklin, founder and publisher of Profile Books, is the recipient of the prestigious Lifetime Achievement Award for 2026.

Launched on April Fool’s Day in 1996, Profile Books’ list of bestsellers includes Alan Bennett, Mary Beard, Francis Fukuyama, Simon Garfield’s Just My Type, and Lynne Truss’s Eats, Shoots and Leaves, which has sold more than three million copies worldwide. In 2007 Profile Books acquired Serpent’s Tail, whose successes include We Need to Talk about Kevin (over 900,000 copies sold) and in 2014 We Are All Completely Beside Ourselves (800,000 copies sold).

“We are absolutely delighted to recognize Andrew’s brilliant career with this year’s Lifetime Achievement Award,” said Emma Lowe, Director of The London Book Fair, in a release. “A standout independent publisher of his generation, it’s not an exaggeration to say that Andrew has been an inspiration for thousands of people in the industry.”

Before launching Profile, Franklin was a director of Penguin Books and ran Hamish Hamilton. He is a trustee of Index on Censorship, and was a trustee of the Edinburgh International Book Festival for nine years and the founding Chairman of JW3, the Jewish Community Centre for London.

“I am absurdly honored to be given this award,” Franklin said, in a statement. “Some of my greatest publishing heroes are past winners and I really don’t think I belong in their company. It is a particular pleasure to be given this award by The London Book Fair, because I strongly believe that the book trade thrives on sociability. We need to meet, make friends, develop contacts, and exchange gossip. Writing and reading are the most rewarding solitary activity known to humankind. But publishing and selling books are social activities. It takes a village to raise a child. It takes a book fair to make a book.”

The Lifetime Achievement Award committee, composed of the independent LBF Advisory Board, selected Franklin from a shortlist of leading international figures in the book industry.

In a release, several publishers and authors applauded Franklin’s selection. Amanda Ridout, founder and CEO of Boldwood Books, called Franklin the “very epitome of the independent publisher,” and “a great champion of other independent publishers large and small.”

“Andrew’s achievement in building Profile and making it such a success speaks to his incredible editorial ability, as well as business acumen,” added author Francis Fukuyama. “This has obviously not been an easy time for publishers anywhere, particularly small ones intent on putting out serious books. It has also been a challenge avoiding being swallowed up by any of the giant oligopolies that today dominate the economy, while surviving the monumental technological change that has transformed media everywhere.”

The Award recognizes an individual who “has made a truly significant mark in the sphere of the global book world.” It is open to anyone involved in the international book industry from any country.

Franklin will be presented with his award at a reception during The London Book Fair, at 5:30 p.m. on Wednesday, March 11, at the Tech Theatre.