JLA Exclusives

Rt Hon Michael Gove

Having served in Cabinet for almost the whole of the previous Conservative government, Michael Gove has been described as 'one of the most consequential ministers of recent times'. Serving variously as the Secretary of State for Education, for Justice, for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, and as Secretary of State for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities, he has insights that few can rival into the workings of government, leading change and driving strategy. He continues to influence the political debate as Editor of The Spectator.

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 is the first woman to serve as Chief Executive of a major UK broadcaster. After a career embracing TV production and technology, she leads 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 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?

Justin Webb

Before he joined the Today programme Justin was the BBC’s first North America Editor. He also co-hosts the BBC podcast Americast, and writes about the USA for the Times. In his speeches on US affairs, he ranges from Joe Biden’s administration back through Trump to Obama, who he interviewed during his time on the election trail. He talks about leadership and leaders in the UK and US, with stories from behind the scenes at Today and in the corridors of power. 

Ellis Watson

Ellis has headed a national newspaper business, turned around the Greyhound Bus operation in the US and ran Simon Cowell’s Syco Corporation before he took charge of Scottish media group DC Thompson, steering them into the digital age with interests from local newspapers to cloud computing. In barn-storming speeches, brimming with humour and original thinking, Ellis shows how to deal with disruptive forces, create a positive culture, and inspire enthusiasm throughout the organisation and move from mission statement to fighting spirit: “There’s no point in waiting and hoping for a wave; go and create one yourself.”

John Pienaar

Before he joined Times Radio, John was BBC Deputy Political Editor, covering the Westminster beat for all TV and radio outlets. As well as insights and anecdotes from Parliament and broadcasting, he has speculated on what might happen if we were to select governments by means of reality television.

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.

Leo Johnson

Combining consulting, research, and presenting BBC programmes including Future Proofing and Hacking Capitalism, Leo explores change and how we respond to it. He argues that disruptive events from pandemics to new technologies give us the opportunity (even the duty) to consider, with a new perspective, environmental, social and capital imbalances. In doing so, leaders will often understand the imperative to change strategy, but will also experience the intense difficulty of realising transformation. Leo delivers a practical understanding of why change is hard and what to do about it.

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.

Mark Carney

Mark was the first non-British Governor since the BoE’s foundation in 1694. He increased the policy tools and designed stress tests to measure banks’ vulnerability to climate risk. As UN Special Envoy for Climate Action & Finance, Mark now analyses the path to net zero, believing it should be taken into account in every financial decision. He also offers a broad macro outlook.

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. 

Dr Julia Jones

Julia has been immersed in neuroscience and physiology for over thirty years, viewing creativity and productivity through the lens of science. She explains how to use biohacks to boost performance and wellbeing without having to completely change your life..

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.