The children’s author and screenwriter, who takes over from Joseph Coelho, pledged to address ‘invisible privilege and inequality’

Frank Cottrell-Boyce has been named as the new Waterstones children’s laureate, pledging to address “invisible privilege and inequality” related to books and reading during his two-year tenure.

The children’s author and screenwriter was presented with the laureate medal by the outgoing children’s laureate, Joseph Coelho, at a ceremony held in Leeds on Tuesday.

Partnerships ended over the investment firm’s ties to fossil fuel and Israel, leaving nine book festivals including Hay, Edinburgh and Cheltenham in need of funding

Nine festivals that were previously sponsored by investment company Baillie Gifford are now seeking donations.

“Amidst intense discussion around arts funding and challenges to our continued flourishing”, reads a joint statement, the festivals have “joined forces” to “call for increased support”.