Hannah MacInnes Keynote Speaker

Times Radio weekly cultural show host (2020 – present)
How To Academy live events & podcast host (2017 – present)
BBC Newsnight Planning Editor & Filmmaker (2008 – 2016)

Hannah MacInnes's Biography

Hannah MacInnes is a broadcaster and interviewer known for insightful conversations with global changemakers. A trusted voice on both Times Radio and the How To Academy stage, she has moderated more than 3,000 conversations with guests ranging from Bill Clinton, Dame Jane Goodall and Melinda Gates to Courtney Love, Carlo Rovelli and Rory Stewart.

Hannah spent eight years at BBC Newsnight, where her agenda-setting investigations and on-air films included headline interviews with Silvio Berlusconi, Mikhail Gorbachev, Hillary Clinton, Helen Mirren and Mark Rylance. Today she brings the same forensic curiosity to major forums such as the Culture Summit Abu Dhabi, Blue Earth Summit and 5×15, unpacking the intersection of politics, culture and global change with clarity, warmth and wit.

A regular contributor to Radio Times, the Evening Standard and the TLS, Hannah also writes The Conversationist on Substack. Her Klosters Forum podcast explores solutions to environmental challenges—spanning plastic pollution, biodiversity and the built environment—and she recently fronted a new series for the British Book Awards. An endurance runner and cold-water swimmer, she lives the resilience she champions on stage.

Whether guiding a fireside chat or delivering a keynote on the craft of questioning, Hannah equips audiences to listen deeply, think critically and engage confidently with an unpredictable world.

Why Culture Matters: how art can (and does) change the world

A look at the power of stories, arts and culture to impact change in society. From ITVs Mr Bates vs e Post Oce to Netflix’s Adolescence and infinite other examples, never underestimate the power of the arts to change history / opinion and policy. Often where governments and others have failed. From history up to the present day there are numerous examples from music, film, theatre, books and visual arts of the power of art to bring about change.

Life advice from nearly a decade interviewing the ‘How To’ experts

A summary of the top life advice from the experts in neuroscience, psychology, creativity and beyond. From the trappings of perfectionism to how to stay calmer in an increasingly frantic, busy, digital world, I condense what I have learned from years of interviewing big thinkers and experts for How To Academy.

B Corp: wise move or a waste of time?

Companies are increasingly choosing to become B Corp certified. What does it take and is it worth the effort? I discuss drawing on insights from experts in both Business and the Climate sector.

How Women Can Prevent Dementia | Dr Lisa Mosconi in conversation with Hannah MacInnes

Madeleine Albright In Conversation with Hannah MacInnes

Articles, Media & Podcasts

How To Academy Videos and Podcasts

How to Academy

Klosters Forum Podcast

Klosters Forum

Nibbies Podcast

The Bookseller

The Conversationist on Substack

Comments & Testimonials

I’ve been a TV producer for 25 years. I’ve worked with countless presenters and trained many from scratch. I can safely say that not only is Hannah the most generous presenter I’ve ever met (in that she actually listens to guests and creates a conducive environment to hear their story) but she is also the most fun, incredible and worldly wise presenter I’ve ever worked with. Above all, she has a lovely soul. Which in this day and age, is a rare thing. Her interviews are all about her subjects. Not about her. She is a rare diamond. If you’re reading this wondering whether to work with her, could I encourage you to do just that. It will be your best decision this decade. And it will make me look so I-told-you-so for recommending her.

Jonathan Stadlen TV Producer

Hannah is capable of elevating any conversation, bringing clarity, charisma, and warmth to every interview. She knows exactly how to bring out the best in her guests and ensure that they shine whether or not they are natural public performers, and is a pleasure to work with both on stage and off.

Vas Christodoulou, Director of How To Academy

"Thank you for such a memorable evening in London. I was thrilled to be able to bring my book ‘across the pond’, and couldn’t have asked for a better moderator. It was fantastic how you led a conversation that covered so much ground and depth in only an hour. I so appreciate your time and hope you enjoyed the evening as much as I did.

Melinda Gates

“Thank you for interviewing me so brilliantly and perceptively. It’s really refreshing to discuss my work with someone both knowledgeable and professional.”

Mike Leigh

‘Hannah’s brilliant wit, humour and professionalism bought the Blue Earth Summit stages to life. Her ability to deliver engaging interviews with senior leaders across both the business and the environmental movement is unrivalled. We’ll definitely work with Hannah again’

Organiser Blue Earth Summit

Your questions were perfect you are my favourite Interviewer.

Alexandra Pringle Editor In Chief of Bloomsbury Publishing

Is there a better, more thorough and thoughtful interviewer than Hannah MacInnes? Prove It'

Clemence Rebourg Cultural Programmer for Wilderness Festival Forum Stage