The young people’s writing charity First Story has appointed Sophie Hiscock as its next chief executive. 

Hiscock, who has spent 12 years at the The Story Museum in Oxford, most recently as director of communications and impact, will succeed Antonia Byatt, who has led First Story since 2019 and will step down at the end of January. 

A spokesperson for First Story, which sends professional writers into non-selective state schools in England to help students develop their creative writing skills, said Byatt planned to take some time out while she decided what her next career steps would be. 

Hiscock was previously head of creative communications at the University of Oxford, before which she was head of communications at the homelessness charity Emmaus. 

She said: “I’m incredibly excited to be joining the team at First Story in writing the next chapter in the charity’s mission to change lives through writing. 

“With an ever-widening attainment gap in schools, there’s never been a more urgent need for the work that First Story does in nurturing the creativity of children and young people by supporting them to develop the skills and confidence to find their voice and write their own stories. 

“I’m looking forward to hearing those stories firsthand and finding new ways to share them.”

Ed Baden-Powell, chair of First Story, said: “We’re delighted that Sophie can swap one story for another. She has been instrumental in shaping one narrative – one with so many affinities to First Story’s aspirations – and we’re eager to see how she will channel ours.”

Hiscock will take up her new role in February.