Mary Ann Sieghart

Mary Ann Corinna Howard Sieghart is an accomplished English author, journalist, and broadcaster, recognized for her significant contributions across various media platforms. An esteemed former assistant editor of The Times, Sieghart has penned columns that deftly address politics, social affairs, and general life themes. Her journalistic prowess extends to The Independent, where she has offered weekly political insights.

Her literary acclaim is anchored by her best-selling book, The Authority Gap: Why Women Are Still Taken Less Seriously Than Men, and What We Can Do About It, which saw its release through Transworld/Doubleday in July 2021. This pivotal work sheds light on the underlying societal biases against women and proposes actionable steps to bridge this disparity.

Sieghart's voice has resonated on the airwaves as a presenter for BBC Radio 4's Start the Week, along with hosting other programs such as Fallout, Analysis, Profile, One to One, and Beyond Westminster. Her radio presence is complemented by numerous one-off documentaries that she has crafted with her distinct narrative style.

Her academic pursuits have led her to the role of visiting professor at King's College London, where she imparts her extensive knowledge and experience. Sieghart's leadership abilities have been reflected in her tenure as chair of the Social Market Foundation, a role she held from 2010 to 2020. Additionally, her governance expertise is evident through her positions as a Non-Executive Director of the Guardian Media Group, Pantheon International, and The Merchants Trust, as well as her trusteeships with the Esmee Fairbairn Foundation and the Kennedy Memorial Trust.

Her reputation as a thought leader in gender equality is further established by her appointment as Chair of Judges for the Women's Prize for Fiction 2022. Recognized in 2018 as one of the Female FTSE 100 Women to Watch, Sieghart has also been engaged with prestigious academic institutions, including a Visiting Fellowship at All Souls College, Oxford, and subsequent affiliations with Nuffield College and Oriel College, Oxford.

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