Mary Ann SieghartDistinguished Journalist, Author and Expert on Cognitive Bias and Equality

Mary Ann Sieghart is a highly influential journalist and author with an extensive career at the highest levels of the British press. During her significant tenure at The Times, she held numerous senior roles including Assistant Editor, Chief Political Leader-Writer and Arts Editor. Her diverse media portfolio includes serving as a weekly columnist for The Independent, a correspondent for The Economist and City Editor of Today. As a regular broadcaster, she has presented flagship programmes such as Newshour for the BBC World Service and Start The Week on BBC Radio 4, while also appearing on Question Time and Any Questions. Beyond her journalistic achievements, she is a Visiting Professor at King’s College London and a Non-Executive Director of the Guardian Media Group. Her acclaimed book, The Authority Gap, examines the systemic biases that results in women being taken less seriously than men in professional environments. Drawing on extensive data and interviews with prominent figures like Mary Beard and Baroness Hale, she highlights how even the most accomplished women face modern prejudices. This work has positioned her as a leading voice on gender dynamics, leadership and the societal impact of unconscious bias. Having served on the boards of the Tate Modern and the Heritage Lottery Fund, and as Chair of the Social Market Foundation, she brings a wealth of institutional experience to her speaking engagements. Audiences value her ability to use objective evidence to expose everyday inequalities and provide practical frameworks for fostering a more equitable professional landscape. On stage, Mary Ann Sieghart is best known for talks on Gender Equality, Unconscious Bias, Leadership and Women's Rights. 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 Publishing, where the themes translate directly into team decisions, customer experience and growth strategy. Mary Ann Sieghart is regularly booked for Business Speaker and Presenter & Awards Host, 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, Mary Ann Sieghart 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 Mary Ann Sieghart would approach your audience.