In recent months, team Surrey Life has been busy speaking to our contributors and industry experts from around the county to get a feel for just who makes Surrey tick

Ted Smart

A leading figure in the world of publishing, Ted Smart founded The Book People, an independent direct bookseller that reaches customers via mail order catalogues, distribution networks and e-commerce websites, in 1988. Today, the award-winning family business, which has its head office in Godalming, is one of the leading booksellers in the UK. Among his many achievements in the field, the 70-year-old received the Outstanding Contribution to Bookselling Award in 2007; broke the Guinness World Record for the fastest produced book in 1986 (an impressive 24 hours!); and has sold over 14 million Roald Dahl books in the last ten years.

Jim Parks

Attracting a host of best-selling authors to our county town, Guildford Book Festival is now promising even greater things with new director Jim Parks at the helm. Having previously held marketing directorships at world-renowned companies including Universal Studios and Sega, Jim brings to the festival nearly 20 years’ experience of creating memorable events and campaigns throughout the entertainment industry. He combines this with an in-depth knowledge of the book world, having interviewed and introduced authors at numerous literary festivals throughout the UK. The 41-year-old, who has lived in Guildford for many years, is promising a “bigger and bolder, exhilarating extravaganza of a festival!”

Nick and Catherine Roylance

As joint managing directors of independent publishing house Genesis Publications Ltd, brother and sister Nick and Catherine Roylance produce some of the most sought after books in the world. Works of art in their own right, the limited edition tomes are crafted to the highest standards in bookbinding, with authors including the likes of David Bowie, Jimmy Page, Sir Jackie Stewart, Ronnie Wood, Brian Wilson, Sir Peter Blake and Eric Clapton. At the last count, the Guildford-based company was despatching books to collectors in over 50 countries and their editions also feature in the collections of the world’s finest libraries.

Keep on moving

Of course, any such list is subjective and many more could have featured within these pages. Get in touch with your Movers & Shakers, the people who influence how we all live in Surrey, on facebook.com/SurreyLife and twitter.com/SurreyLife and maybe you’ll see them included next time round!