Emma Barnett Keynote Speaker

Emma Barnett is one of Britain’s most incisive broadcasters, celebrated for her forensic interviews and clear-sighted commentary. In May 2024, she joined BBC Radio 4’s flagship Today programme, bringing her trademark blend of warmth and rigour to the nation’s morning agenda. Twice named ARIAS “Best Speech Presenter” and crowned “Interviewer of the Year” at the British Journalism Awards, she commands the studio with rare authority and empathy.

Barnett’s rise has been defined by a talent for making complex issues accessible. She presented Woman’s Hour (2021–2024), transforming the 77-year-old institution into the BBC’s most-downloaded podcast while welcoming guests from heads of state to cultural icons. Earlier, as Digital Media and then Women’s Editor at The Daily Telegraph (2009–2016), she launched the acclaimed “Wonder Women” section, pioneering agenda-setting coverage of women’s issues and cementing her reputation for fearless, data-driven journalism.

A bestselling author, Barnett’s book Period: It’s About Bloody Time sparked a global conversation on women’s health and endometriosis, exemplifying her commitment to storytelling that drives change. In 2025, she published Maternity Service: A Love Letter to Mothers from the Front Line of Maternity Leave, offering a candid, often humorous portrayal of the highs and lows of early motherhood.

On stage, she offers candid insight into the fast-moving media landscape, lessons in resilience drawn from live broadcasting, and strategies for leaders who want to be heard above the noise. Audiences leave equipped with sharper questions, clearer messaging, and renewed confidence to tackle taboo topics.