Cathy Newman Keynote Speaker

Cathy Newman is a journalist, broadcaster, and author celebrated for her incisive reporting and thought-provoking interviews. She joined Channel 4 News in 2006, became a presenter in 2011, and remained with the programme until 2026. Over two decades, she built a distinguished career in journalism, characterised by her commitment to uncovering the truth and holding those in power accountable. As of 2026, she is joining Sky News to front the 7pm flagship politics show, as well as presenting a new podcast and working on long-form investigations and documentaries. Her expertise in political journalism, gender issues, and investigative reporting has made her a sought-after speaker and commentator.

She holds a BA Honours in English from Oxford University. After graduating, Cathy began her career at The Independent, where she quickly made a name for herself with her in-depth political reporting and sharp analysis.

Cathy spent six years writing for the Financial Times. She joined Channel 4 News as political correspondent in 2006. On television she has presented other Channel 4 programmes including Britain Decides: Everything But Brexit debate in the lead-up to the 2019 general election. She regularly presents Channel 4’s Dispatches programmes – recent programmes include The Prince and the Paedophile, focusing on Prince Andrew’s friendship with Jeffrey Epstein. She has also appeared several times on Have I Got News For You and Christmas Celebrity Genius.

Her scoops as an award-winning investigative journalist include allegations of sexual harassment in Westminster, an investigation into a British paedophile Simon Harris who abused vulnerable boys in Kenya which saw him jailed for 17 years and allegations of violent abuse by the British barrister John Smyth. Cathy was the only broadcast journalist to travel with Angelina Jolie and the then foreign secretary William Hague to Congo as part of their campaign against sexual violence. She won the prestigious Laurence Stern Fellowship, spending four months at the Washington Post in 2000.

She is the author of Bloody Brilliant Women: Pioneers, Revolutionaries & Geniuses Your History Teacher Forgot to Mention About Female Pioneers in 20th Century Britain, published in 2018. The book highlights the often overlooked contributions of women in shaping modern Britain, reflecting Cathy’s dedication to gender equality and historical accuracy. Her second book, It Takes Two: A History of the Couples Who Dared to Be Different, published in 2020, tells the stories of the power of pairings to achieve great things by exploring their impact in history. Her most recent book, The Ladder: Life Lessons from Women Who Scaled the Heights & Dodged the Snakes, published in 2024, brings together conversations with remarkable women about ambition, resilience, challenge and growth, offering inspiration and insight from those who have achieved extraordinary things in their fields.

Cathy Newman is a renowned journalist, broadcaster, and author, known for her fearless reporting and impactful interviews. She has made significant contributions to Channel 4 News and authored influential books on gender and history. Her unwavering dedication to uncovering the truth and promoting equality cements her legacy as a trailblazer in modern journalism.