Broadcaster

Ayesha Hazarika MBE is a broadcaster, writer and award-winning comedian. She is a much sought after political pundit with great wit and insight, appearing regularly across shows on the BBC, Sky, ITN and Dave as well as writing for national newspapers and print including the FT, Guardian, Grazia, The Scotsman and New Statesman. Ayesha is a guest presenter on BBC Radio 4’s Saturday Review, leading the weeks discussion on all things cultural and was previously a lead panel presenter on CNN Talk (CNN international) and a regular presenter on LBC.

In 2019 Ayesha Hazarika took over as Editor of The Londoner, the Evening Standard’s Daily Diary section, where she distils the latest news and insights from across the capital. Ayesha continues with her hugely popular column for the Evening Standard every Wednesday. Ayesha is a much sought-after political expert and broadcaster after serving as Chief of Staff to Harriet Harman, Labour Deputy Leader and twice Acting Leader of the Labour Party.

Shadow Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs

David Lammy has been the Labour MP for Tottenham since 2000 and is the Shadow Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs. David served as a Minister in the Labour Government from 2001 to 2010 and was made a Privy Councillor in 2008.

David studied at the School of Oriental and African Studies (SOAS) and was the first black Briton to receive a Master’s degree from Harvard University. He was admitted to the Bar of England and Wales in 1994 and is a Professor of Practice at SOAS School of Law.

Chair, International Chamber of Commerce

Paul Drechsler CBE is Former President of Confederation of British Industry. Paul is also Chairman, BusinessLDN (previously London First). He is a Non-Executive Director of Greencore Plc and Schroders & Co. Paul is currently the (Honorary) President of the Society of Chemical Industry, (SCI). He has previously held senior appointments including; Chairman Bibby Line Group, Chairman & Chief Executive of Wates Group, Executive Director of ICI Plc, Non-executive Director of Essentra Plc, Chairman CBI energy Policy Committee.

Prior to joining Wates, Paul spent 24 years with ICI PLC, holding Senior / Board positions and living in the UK, Brazil, the USA and the Netherlands. He was previously Chancellor of Teesside University, a position he held until July 2022, and Chairman Teach First, Chairman of UK Skills Funding Agency Advisory Board, Director of Business in the Community, The Princes Trust (Construction Council), and TCD Business School Advisory Board. Paul is an Engineering graduate from the University of Dublin, Trinity College, where he was awarded an Honorary Doctorate in Laws in 2018.