Emma Barnett

Emma Barnett is a distinguished journalist and broadcaster who currently serves as a lead presenter on the BBC Radio 4 Today programme. Her appointment to the corporation's flagship news show followed a highly successful tenure as the host of Woman's Hour, which she led through its 75th anniversary. Under her direction, the programme shifted towards a sharper news and politics focus and became the most downloaded show across the BBC. Her broadcast portfolio is extensive, including three years as a regular presenter of Newsnight and hosting the mid-morning weekday programme on BBC Radio 5 Live. Beginning her career in print journalism, Emma was the first Digital Editor for The Telegraph, where she spearheaded technology coverage and interviewed global industry leaders. She later served as the paper's Women’s Editor and created the Telegraph Wonder Women section, alongside writing columns for The Sunday Times. Beyond her broadcasting work, she is the author of ‘Period: It’s About Bloody Time’ and serves as a patron for the charity Smartworks, supporting women entering the workforce. Her professional excellence has been recognised with prestigious accolades, including Speech Broadcaster of the Year at the Radio Academy Awards and Interviewer of the Year at the British Journalism Awards. As a keynote speaker and facilitator, Emma is highly sought after for her sharp intellectual rigour and her ability to navigate complex political and social landscapes with clarity. She brings a wealth of experience from the forefront of the British media to every event, offering audiences a sophisticated perspective on current affairs and digital transformation. On stage, Emma Barnett is best known for talks on Broadcasting, Journalism, Technology, Politics and Diversity & Inclusion. Audiences leave with a clear, practical view of the subject rather than a generic overview — every keynote is shaped around the brief and the room. Their work resonates with leaders across Education, Media & Broadcasting and Motivational Speaking, where the themes translate directly into team decisions, customer experience and growth strategy. Emma Barnett is regularly booked for Awards Hosts, adapting tone, length and format to suit the event — from a 20-minute opener to a full conference keynote with Q&A. Based in UK, Emma Barnett travels internationally for engagements. To check availability or request a tailored brief for your event, send an enquiry and we'll come back with fees, dates and a short summary of how Emma Barnett would approach your audience.