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Jeremy Poynting awarded an Honorary Doctorate by Leeds Beckett University
Jeremy, who has worked full time as a publisher and editor since 1996, first founded Peepal Tree Press in 1985, the same year he completed his doctorate on the Indo-Caribbean literary presence in the Caribbean at the University of Leeds.
Peepal Tell Press has published approximately 470 books, establishing a reputation as the foremost publisher of Caribbean writing in the UK and a significant publisher of Black British writing.
The company’s books have won an array of prestigious industry prizes, including the Forward Prize, the T.S. Eliot prize and the Costa Book of the year. Its books have seen similar success in the Carribean, winning important Caribbean prizes including the Casa de las Americas, the Guyana Prize and the OCM Bocas prize.
Jeremy Poynting said: "I feel very honoured to be given this award, particularly since it signals a long creative relationship with Leeds Beckett University, beginning with the hosting of Peepal Tree's 25th Anniversary Conference and receiving a good many of the university's students on mutually rewarding placements.
"I'm delighted, too, to be associated with Leeds Beckett because of its commitment to the Caribbean and students of Caribbean heritage, to post-colonial studies and the memory of David Oluwale.”
Professor Peter Slee, Leeds Beckett University Vice Chancellor said: "On behalf of all of our staff, students and Governors here at Leeds Beckett University, I would like to congratulate Jeremy Poynting on this Honorary Degree.
"We’re proud to celebrate Jeremy’s career achievements, in which he has worked tirelessly to be a key pillar of the local community in Leeds, as well as providing a nationwide platform to showcase Caribbean and Black British writing through his publishing company Peepal Tree Press."
Throughout his career, Jeremy has been awarded an Honorary Doctorate by the University of the West Indies at Mona, the Henry Swanzy Prize at the Bocas Lit festival, for services to West Indian literature and culture, and is an Honorary Fellow of the Royal Literature Society.