John Vincent has worked in the public sector since the 1960s, primarily for Hertfordshire, Lambeth and Enfield public library services, including as a children's and young people's librarian and senior manager. John has previously published Libraries and Sanctuary, LGBT People and the UK Cultural Sector and co-authored Public Libraries and Social Justice. He is also currently the Chair of the CILIP Benevolent Fund and is a recipient of the CILIP CDEG Special Diversity Award.