Headline Sponsor
Baillie Gifford
We are so grateful to our Headline sponsor Baillie Gifford who have supported the festival since 2011. Their loyalty and support has been invaluable and we simply couldn’t do it without them – especially this year during the Covid pandemic. The firm is a major sponsor of other literary events across the UK including the Baillie Gifford Prize for Non-Fiction. More details of the sponsorship programme, including interviews with authors, articles and competitions, can be found at: www.bailliegifford.com/sponsorship
Venue Sponsors
Laithwaites Wine
Ever since Tony Laithwaite went to Bordeaux in the 60s, family and friendship has been central to our journey. We owe everything to the many growers and wine lovers we support and serve today. For over 50 years we’ve been delivering wine the right way – from the people who love making it to the people who love drinking it. We never overcomplicate things. By keeping it simple at every stage, we’ve been able to keep costs down and guarantee authenticity with every single bottle.
Gower Cottage Brownies
Gower Cottage Brownies produce award winning artisan Chocolate brownies, gift wrapped delivered to your door, described as “the best brownies we’ve ever tasted” by BBC Good Food Magazine. We’ve also added to our collection, Brownie Butter “Outrageous new product Gower Cottage Brownies has launched a range of brownie ‘butters’; their extremely good brownies in spreadable/pourable form”, Jay Rayner.
Children's Festival Sponsor
Shiplake College
Overlooking the river, just two miles upstream from Henley-on-Thames, Shiplake College is a co-educational boarding and day school offering a holistic education to just over 500 pupils from Years 7 to 13. In September 2023 girls joined Year 7 as it transitions to become fully co-educational, an environment already established in the Sixth Form. Flexi, weekly and full boarding is available from Year 9. The College focuses on its core values, known as the Three i’s – Inclusive, Individual, Inspirational.
Magazine Partner
Saga Exceptional
One of the UK’s best-selling monthly magazines, Saga Magazine brings together the best stories and latest news on what matters to you most. Every issue is packed with insightful articles, brain-teasing puzzles, in-depth celebrity interviews and expert health and money-advice. All this, plus monthly musings from our stellar columnists Jeremy Paxman, Jenni Murray, Joe Fattorini, Paul Lewis, Dr Mark Porter and Susie Dent. Inspiring real-life stories, practical gardening tips and delicious recipes keep our readers going until the next issue arrives.
Subscribe today for just £5 for your first 3 issues and save over 70% off the cover price.
Furniture Partner
Sofas & Stuff
Sofas & Stuff creates bespoke British sofas, chairs and beds, offering customers a high level of choice and creativity. Each made-to-order piece from Sofas & Stuff is individually and authentically designed to suit your lifestyle, enhance your home, and give you comfort for many years to come.
Fine quality fabrics lie at the very heart of the company. Sofas & Stuff’s remarkable fabric library includes distinctive woven and printed linens, and exclusive collections created in collaboration with the Victoria and Albert Museum (V&A) and the Royal Horticultural Society (RHS). These exclusive fabrics sit alongside collections from celebrated British and international fabric houses, such as Colefax & Fowler, Linwood and Sanderson.
Visit Sofas & Stuff Henley showroom: 2-4 Reading Road, Henley-on-Thames, Oxfordshire RG9 1AG. 01491 390830. www.sofasandstuff.com
Hotel Partner
The Relais
Venue Partner
Phyllis Court
Phyllis Court is delighted to be sponsoring the Henley Literary Festival for another year! Based on the banks of the River Thames, Phyllis Court enjoys spectacular views of the river and surrounding Chilterns countryside. The Private Members Club offers Members an enhanced social life, varied dining opportunities, a Fitness Centre, beautiful grounds, access to Reciprocal Clubs and over 30 Interest Groups – so there really is something for everyone.
News Partner
The Independent
The Independent has been at the front line of journalism since its launch in 1986, with its purpose to challenge, debate and make change happen way ahead of its time. It is the UK’s largest quality digital news brand and a top 10 news brand in the US, and was the first of the quality news brands to become fully digital (in 2016). Publishing from 12 countries and in six languages, and with a network of global correspondents, The Independent is a truly international news organisation.
Event Series Sponsor
Shiplake Meadows
Shiplake Meadows is a class leading retirement community just three miles from Henley. Our spacious, light and sociable cottages and apartments are set within lovely landscaped grounds, and each of them has a private garden, patio or large, full width balcony, plus private car parking. One of the unique features is the residents Clubhouse, which offers a Deli, Restaurant, Gym, Physio and Hairdressing, Concierge, and Personal Care if required.
Cottages offer 2/3 Bedrooms, with 2 bathrooms and wetroom. There are several designs of 2 and 3 bedroom ground and first floor apartments, with some stunning duplex apartments offering up to 2400 sq ft of luxurious living space, quite unlike anything else available in the locality.
Show Homes Now Open – find out more at www.shiplakemeadows.co.uk
Event Sponsors
Penningtons Manches Cooper
Penningtons Manches Cooper is a leading UK and international law firm which provides high quality legal advice tailored to both businesses and individuals. We address the specific objectives of each client through our flair and technical expertise and offer a personal service founded on a strong team ethic.
Today, we have offices in London, Basingstoke, Birmingham, Cambridge, Guildford, Oxford and Reading, while our overseas network includes offices in Singapore, Piraeus, Paris and Madrid.
We have established a strong reputation in a variety of sectors, particularly private wealth, shipping, technology and property. Our lawyers are also recognised for their expertise in life sciences, education, retail, sports and entertainment and international trade. In these areas, we’re acknowledged for our unparalleled market insight.
Cecilia Quinn Show Boutique
Cecilia Quinn was founded to fill a gap in the market for discerning customers, informed by Michele Langenbrinck & Claudia De Biasi’s extensive experience over two decades in fashion & styling.
The perennial problem of finding comfortable, yet stylish shoes led them to source beautifully crafted shoes from Italy, where they discovered ‘hidden gems’ and sourced artisanal craftsmen with sustainable as well as ethical credentials to produce a highly original and curated collection for the UK.
They work collaboratively with these artisans to enhance features to increase comfort – such as arch support, cushioned inner soles and hidden platforms. Having established an evolving range of elegant and contemporary footwear, there is something for everyone and every occasion.
Wearing a Cecilia Quinn shoe means never to compromise comfort for style, as all their long-standing returning customers happily confirm.
The Abbey
The Abbey is a remarkable all-girls community of learning and scholarship. It is a place of curiosity, adventurous spirits, and the excitement of discovery.
Our outlook is internationally-minded and collaborative, with International Baccalaureate programmes at our Junior School and as an option in our Sixth Form. We prepare students to live with confidence, purpose, and joy.
We focus on individual care and attention in a warmly supportive atmosphere, full of fun and laughter. As a result we develop the assurance for students to take risks, explore interests and passions, and engage generously with the world and with each other.
We have played a leading role in all-girls education for over 130 years and equip girls to face the future on their own terms, driven by courage, honesty and kindness above all.
KJ Smith Solicitors
KJSmith Solicitors are excited to be sponsors at the Literary Festival this year. The foundations of their law firm, which specialises in family law and estate planning, began in Henley in 2009 and so the town holds a special place in their hearts. KJSmith Solicitors operate from 11 offices, with their Henley offices situated opposite the train station. For more information on the services they offer, please visit www.kjsmith.co.uk. A free 45 minute no-obligation consultation is offered with one of their caring and experienced lawyers. They are thrilled to be able to help in showcasing not only national but local talent in what is likely to be enlightening and entertaining talks throughout the week.
Green Room Sponsor
HW Fisher
HW Fisher is a top 25 chartered accountancy firm based in London. Our specialist Authors and Journalists group are passionate about the publishing industry and helping authors to succeed, whether they be on their first or 50th novel. We have been advising authors and journalists for many years, helping them to manage their finances. Hear from some of the authors we work with at: www.hwfisher.co.uk/authorstories
For more information, please contact Andrew Subramaniam
Book Partner
The Bell Bookshop
Henley Literary Festival works in partnership with The Bell Bookshop who offer copies for signing at the end of each event throughout the festival. The Bell Bookshop specialises in children’s books for all ages, new and general fiction in hardback and paperback, classics, biographies, travel guides, history books, cookery books and other non-fiction. Find out more by visiting the shop at 52 Bell Street, Henley on Thames RG9 2BL.