Our team
Born from a mixture of writers, illustrators, actors and lovers of comedy. Meet the faces behind the idea.
Chair
Robert Ross
is a writer, broadcaster, and comedy historian who many television appearances include Carry On Forever, When Classic Comedy Goes Horribly Wrong, What the Pythons Did Next, Legends: Terry-Thomas, and Ball-Breakers on the Box. His plays included three Doctor Who adventures for Big Finish; as well as Jeepers Creepers - Through the Eyes of Marty Feldman, the final directorial project of Terry Jones. Robert is the author of a library of best-selling reference books and biographies, notably Sid James - Cockney Rebel, The Goodies Rule OK, Last of the Summer Wine - The Finest Vintage, and Forgotten Heroes of Comedy, which Danny Baker has described as “authoritative, absorbing, factual and fun. Thick, too! Nobody does it better!”
Vice Chair
Jessica Martin
is a West End actress, impressionist, writer, and illustrator whose television credits include Spitting Image, playing such diverse public figures as Edwina Currie and Princess Diana; and Doctor Who, alongside the 7th Doctor in ‘The Greatest Show in the Galaxy’, and the 10th in ‘Voyage of the Damned’. On stage Jessica has starred as Sally in Me and My Girl, The Lady of the Lake in Spamalot, and created the role of Fenella Fielding in Screaming Queens! Her critically acclaimed graphic novels include Life Drawing: A Life Under Lights, a unique Show Biz graphic memoir. The book was adapted into a cabaret show, which The British Theatre Guide described as “a brilliantly constructed and increasingly powerful experience”.
Public Relations Manager/
Agent
Gemma Ross
is our Public Relations Manager and our agent for clients. Currently working alongside Robert Ross, as his executive assistant, she joined Robert through the lockdown sessions of his Facebook Book Club. With a previous background in events organising for other associations, she is here to support with memberships and all communications across social media channels and is the organiser of the book festival. In addition to this, Gemma is also a teacher, with a career that has taken her oversea's and in the UK. She coordinates all of our Educational events linking to British National Curriculum and International Baccalaureate curriculums, as well as working with universities for those wanting a career in writing.
Executive Assistant
Tean Stewart - Murrary
is our Executive Assistant assisting with all the hard work which goes on behind the scenes and looks after our VIPs guests during the book festival. She studied Anthropology and Classics at the University of Birmingham and the University of British Columbia. During this time she was involved with the university newspaper and student radio, which led to her producing, editing and co-hosting a radio show about university life. She now works with Justin Pollard, producing a historical podcast as well as working as a junior researcher on several factual television shows. Tean is passionate about historical tales and comedy who loves to share these stories through various medias.
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