JLA Exclusives

Steph McGovern

Steph went from Black & Decker engineer to BBC Breakfast business reporter and co-presenter before presenting her own Channel 4 show and co-hosting The Rest is Money podcast with Robert Peston. She also fronted Watchdog, Pocket Money Pitch, Made in Great Britain, and Shop Well For Less - covering all aspects of real life business and economics. In the process she’s been trained in lean production, explained monetary and economic policy, and danced an impromptu Irish jig live on air.

Alex Mahon

Alex was the first woman to serve as Chief Executive of a major UK broadcaster. After a career embracing TV production and technology, she led a company that is as respected for its creativity and independent spirit as it is for its pioneering commitment to diversity and social issues. She now leads one of the biggest, and most innovative, brands in live experiences and festivals. Alex explores how to be a values-led, authentic leader, even in tough times, how technology disrupts established models, and the myths and realities of managing and catering for Gen Z.

Ian Hislop

Once the 67th most influential man in the country (according to GQ), Ian knows that people enjoy reading about bad news in difficult times. Private Eye has never been more popular, and as boss for over 30 years, Britain’s most sued man talks about the joys of litigation, fake news, and trust in politics and the media.

Rt Hon Lord (William) Hague

William served as Party Leader, Commons Leader and Foreign Secretary – contending with war in Libya, terrorist threats, and relations with Europe. He weighs up the impact of Brexit, China, the invasion of Ukraine, and inflation on government policy, national security and globalisation. How will political leaders respond to the key challenges: from migration and populism to Putin's aggression and Xi Jinping's attitude towards tech and trade battles?

Ellis Watson

Tackling leadership, transformation and navigating disruption with an energy and forthright humour that engages and informs, Ellis has an impact few speakers can match. With lessons from a diverse career leading businesses from media to transport, he delivers practical, sometimes provocative ideas on how to nurture and retain talent, adapt to technological, social and economic disruption, and place purpose at the heart of any organisation.

Professor Brian Cox

Brian brings scientific discovery to life for millions. He is also a leading experimental physicist, helping to recreate the conditions 1/1000000000th of a second after Big Bang “to confirm the universe’s underlying simplicity.” With breathtaking images, Brian shows how science shocks and excites our imagination, as well as bringing humanity together. He also sets out the case for co-ordinated investment in science as key to job creation and growth.

Tim Harford

The BBC presenter, Oxford Fellow, data detective and million-selling author is a compelling storyteller on economics, psychology and the unexpected bits in between. Tim explores innovation and how ideas spread, what disasters teach us about ourselves, the power of price, and the use of uncertainty as a competitive weapon. He also reveals truths and myths in data – whether public information, misinformation or deliberate disinformation.

Baroness Manningham-Buller

As Head of the Security Service, Eliza dealt with the wake of 9/11 and a growing threat from Al-Qaeda. As Chair of the Wellcome Trust, one of the world’s largest charitable funders of medical research, she oversaw an organisation that both predicted and led work tackling the Covid-19 pandemic and its long-term effects. With insights and lessons on leadership from throughout her career, Eliza explains that leaders' priorities must change in order to keep pace with the constant emergence of new, often unimagined challenges, from existential threats such as climate change and pandemics, to urgent demands to address diversity and fairness.

Robert Peston

Robert Peston is ITV's Political Editor, as well as the presenter of the channel's flagship politics show Peston, where he covers the latest developments in Westminster and beyond. He's also co-host of the podcast The Rest is Money alongside Steph McGovern, where they explore stories from the world of business and finance. He has won a number of awards for his work - including Journalist of the Year, Specialist Journalist of the Year and Scoop of the Year (twice) from the Royal Television Society.

Lyse Doucet

One of the BBC’s most widely respected journalists, Lyse has covered some of the most tumultuous events around the world, from the Soviet withdrawal from Afghanistan to the Arab Spring uprisings and the war in Ukraine. Despite the conflict and terror, she’s an unshakeable optimist, seeing the humanity and unity of people in the toughest of circumstances. She analyses the political and social uncertainty the world faces, and considers the nature of risk. She also reveals the lighter side to reporting from some of the world’s most dangerous places.

Sacha Romanovitch

As the first woman to lead a major accounting firm, Sacha sought to transform a company and an industry that was often resistant to change. By focusing on Grant Thornton’s people and what they could offer, the culture became a more inclusive, supportive and innovative one. Incorporating lessons in leadership, change, resilience and diversity, Sacha examines what underpins an organisation, what its values are, and how understanding these elements can make it fit for the future.

Andrew Parker, Rt Hon Lord Parker of Minsmere

Andrew has held two of the most sensitive and respected leadership roles in British public life. He ended a 30-year career in national security and intelligence by heading MI5, after which he served as Lord Chamberlain, the non-executive Chair and de facto head of the Royal Household. He explores the pressures of leadership, the tough decisions, and importantly, the importance of building a diverse, open team with accountable, values-driven leaders and shared, clear goals and purpose. 

Matt Clifford

With influential roles in both public and private sectors, Matt is at the heart of innovation, tech and AI, working with start-ups, investors and government. He considers the differences between US, European and Chinese perspectives on AI, what they mean, and why they think the way they do. He explores the challenges AI poses to regulators, but also the necessity for robust safety measures for governments, markets and individuals.

Rt Hon Sir James Cleverly

In a career spanning the military, business, and local and national politics, James is one of a handful of politicians in history to have served as both Foreign and Home Secretary. Serving through some of the most tumultuous times domestically and internationally, James has a unique insight into the workings of politics and diplomacy, strategy and decision-making. He explores what good and bad leadership looks like, the risks of success, and what the future holds for UK, European and global politics.

Rt Hon Nicola Sturgeon

The longest serving, and first woman, First Minister of Scotland, Nicola is a leader and pioneer in politics. Working with five UK Prime Ministers through events including the independence referendum, Brexit and the pandemic, Nicola considers the profound lessons, both personal and professional, in leadership, decision-making and trust-building that her remarkable career has instilled.