The Big Issue’s founder John Bird was inducted into the PPA Hall of Fame at a glittering awards show in London last night.
The gala event, hosted by broadcaster Edith Bowman, celebrates the very best in magazine publishing, with everyone from British Vogue to the Beano via Mixmag and Country Life represented.
On a raucous night, the final award, and a huge standing ovation, was reserved for Lord Bird. The PPA board were, they said, “unanimous in electing John into this distinguished canon,” citing his “truly revolutionary work.”
It is our pleasure to induct @johnbirdswords into the PPA Hall of Fame for his revolutionary work over the past 25 years with The @BigIssue, the magazine he co-founded with Gordon Roddick in 1991. #PPAawardspic.twitter.com/pPmWRpscTJ
— PPA (@PPA_Live) June 27, 2018
A man of many words, Bird chose a surprisingly short Bertolt Brecht quote for his speech, paying tribute to the whole Big Issue team in inimitable style.
“Alexander conquered India (he must have had someone with him),” roared Bird from the stage to wild applause.