Charles Cumming’s experiences working for the UK’s Secret Intelligence Service (MI6) led to a successful writing career. His novels have been translated into thirteen languages and won him the CWA Ian Fleming Steel Dagger.

Dame Mary Beard is one of Britain’s best-known Classicists. Her written work includes the Wolfson Prize-winning Pompeii: The Life of a Roman Town, and she has also worked in television, presenting several TV series such as Meet the Romans.

Matt Chorley is a Times columnist and editor of the award-winning Red Box political newsletter and podcast, in which he tries to make sense of what is happening in politics. He joined The Times in 2016.

Simon Winchester is the bestselling author of The Man Who Loved China, A Crack in the Edge of the World, Krakatoa, The Map That Changed the World, and The Surgeon of Crowthorne (The Professor and the Madman). He was awarded an OBE in 2006.

Maggie O’Farrell is the award-winning author of the Sunday Times no. 1 bestselling memoir I Am, I Am, I Am, and eight novels. Her works have won the Costa Novel Award (2010) and a Somerset Maugham Award.

A highly experienced broadcaster and economist, Dharshini is a familiar face to BBC News audiences. During her time at the BBC she has covered financial stories, presented for Panorama and became the BBC’s first Global Trade Correspondent in 2020.

Paddy’s hit Sunday show Broadcasting House is the breakfast staple for two million listeners to Radio Four. He reported from New York's Wall street for years, and founded a Royal Marine charity for D Day Veterans with whom he travels to the Normandy beaches each year.

Mick Herron’s seven Slough House novels have been shortlisted for eight CWA Daggers, winning twice, and shortlisted for the Theakston Old Peculier Crime Novel of the Year four times.

Rachel Johnson has worked for national newspapers since the age of 23 and has written four novels. Rachel is a co-presenter on Sky News’ The Pledge topical debate show and makes frequent appearances on Question Time, Any Questions, Newsnight, Marr and other programs.

Damian Barr is an award-winning writer, journalist and host of his own infamous Literary Salon. Maggie & Me, published by Bloomsbury, was BBC Radio 4’s Book of the Week, and the Sunday Times named it their Memoir of the Year.

Pamela Paul is the editor of the Book Review and oversees all books coverage at The New York Times. She is the author of seven books; her latest project, 100 Things We've Lost to the Internet, will be published in October 2021.

Alexander McCall Smith is one of the world’s most prolific and best-loved authors. He has received numerous awards for his writing and holds honorary doctorates from universities in Europe and North America.