Jenni Russell
Encyclopedia
Jenni Russell is a British columnist and broadcaster. She writes the Monday political column for The Evening Standard and also writes regularly for The Sunday Times
and The Guardian
. She worked for many years at the BBC and ITN, most recently as editor of The World Tonight
on BBC Radio 4
. She was tipped as one of the candidates to be the next controller of BBC Radio 4
, following the resignation of Mark Damazer
. She is married to media executive Stephen Lambert
and lives in London, with their two children.
and went on to become a BBC News Trainee. She worked for the BBC, as well as ITN and Channel 4 News
. In 1998 she became joint editor of BBC Radio 4
's The World Tonight
, becoming one of the first people to pioneer job-sharing within the BBC.
On leaving the BBC, Russell began writing comment pieces for The New Statesman
and The Guardian
and now also regularly writes for The Sunday Times
. In 2011 she began writing the Monday political column for The Evening Standard. She is a vocal critic of the failings of the education system and of the increasing abuse of civil liberties under the Labour government.
According to The Spectator
she is a key figure in the New Establishment, due to her friendship with both Steve Hilton
, David Cameron
's director of strategy, and Ed Miliband
, the newly elected Labour leader.
In September 2010 she was shortlisted for the Commentariat of the Year award by Editorial Intelligence.
In May 2011 she won the Orwell Prize
for Political Journalism in 2011.
She was described as "the stand-out journalist in an outstanding field". The judges said:
"Her empathy for the world beyond Westminster gives her writing an extra dimension often lacking in political insiders. There is an overriding humanity to her work, whether she is covering the death-throes of the last Labour government or the birth-pangs of the Coalition."
The Sunday Times
The Sunday Times is a British Sunday newspaper.The Sunday Times may also refer to:*The Sunday Times *The Sunday Times *The Sunday Times *The Sunday Times...
and The Guardian
The Guardian
The Guardian, formerly known as The Manchester Guardian , is a British national daily newspaper in the Berliner format...
. She worked for many years at the BBC and ITN, most recently as editor of The World Tonight
The World Tonight
The World Tonight is a British current affairs radio programme broadcast on BBC Radio 4, every weekday evening, which started out as an extension of the 10pm news. It features news, analysis and comment on domestic and world issues...
on BBC Radio 4
BBC Radio 4
BBC Radio 4 is a British domestic radio station, operated and owned by the BBC, that broadcasts a wide variety of spoken-word programmes, including news, drama, comedy, science and history. It replaced the BBC Home Service in 1967. The station controller is currently Gwyneth Williams, and the...
. She was tipped as one of the candidates to be the next controller of BBC Radio 4
BBC Radio 4
BBC Radio 4 is a British domestic radio station, operated and owned by the BBC, that broadcasts a wide variety of spoken-word programmes, including news, drama, comedy, science and history. It replaced the BBC Home Service in 1967. The station controller is currently Gwyneth Williams, and the...
, following the resignation of Mark Damazer
Mark Damazer
Mark Damazer CBE is the Master of St Peter's College, Oxford, and a former controller of BBC Radio 4 and BBC Radio 7 in the United Kingdom.He is the son of a Polish-Jewish delicatessen owner in Willesden in North London....
. She is married to media executive Stephen Lambert
Stephen Lambert (media executive)
Stephen Lambert is an English television producer and executive. He is best known for creating and launching international hit formats such as the award-winning Wife Swap, Faking It, Secret Millionaire, and Undercover Boss...
and lives in London, with their two children.
Career
Russell studied History at St Catharine's College, CambridgeSt Catharine's College, Cambridge
St. Catharine’s College is a constituent college of the University of Cambridge. Founded in 1473, the college is often referred to informally by the nickname "Catz".-History:...
and went on to become a BBC News Trainee. She worked for the BBC, as well as ITN and Channel 4 News
Channel 4 News
Channel 4 News is the news division of British television broadcaster Channel 4. It is produced by ITN, and has been in operation since the broadcaster's launch in 1982.-Channel 4 News:...
. In 1998 she became joint editor of BBC Radio 4
BBC Radio 4
BBC Radio 4 is a British domestic radio station, operated and owned by the BBC, that broadcasts a wide variety of spoken-word programmes, including news, drama, comedy, science and history. It replaced the BBC Home Service in 1967. The station controller is currently Gwyneth Williams, and the...
's The World Tonight
The World Tonight
The World Tonight is a British current affairs radio programme broadcast on BBC Radio 4, every weekday evening, which started out as an extension of the 10pm news. It features news, analysis and comment on domestic and world issues...
, becoming one of the first people to pioneer job-sharing within the BBC.
On leaving the BBC, Russell began writing comment pieces for The New Statesman
The New Statesman
The New Statesman is an award-winning British sitcom of the late 1980s and early 1990s satirising the Conservative government of the time...
and The Guardian
The Guardian
The Guardian, formerly known as The Manchester Guardian , is a British national daily newspaper in the Berliner format...
and now also regularly writes for The Sunday Times
The Sunday Times
The Sunday Times is a British Sunday newspaper.The Sunday Times may also refer to:*The Sunday Times *The Sunday Times *The Sunday Times *The Sunday Times...
. In 2011 she began writing the Monday political column for The Evening Standard. She is a vocal critic of the failings of the education system and of the increasing abuse of civil liberties under the Labour government.
According to The Spectator
The Spectator
The Spectator is a weekly British magazine first published on 6 July 1828. It is currently owned by David and Frederick Barclay, who also owns The Daily Telegraph. Its principal subject areas are politics and culture...
she is a key figure in the New Establishment, due to her friendship with both Steve Hilton
Steve Hilton
Steve Hilton is the director of strategy for David Cameron, Prime Minister and leader of the Conservative Party in the United Kingdom...
, David Cameron
David Cameron
David William Donald Cameron is the current Prime Minister of the United Kingdom, First Lord of the Treasury, Minister for the Civil Service and Leader of the Conservative Party. Cameron represents Witney as its Member of Parliament ....
's director of strategy, and Ed Miliband
Ed Miliband
Edward Samuel Miliband is a British Labour Party politician, currently the Leader of the Labour Party and Leader of the Opposition...
, the newly elected Labour leader.
In September 2010 she was shortlisted for the Commentariat of the Year award by Editorial Intelligence.
In May 2011 she won the Orwell Prize
Orwell Prize
The Orwell Prize used to be regarded as the pre-eminent British prize for political writing.Three prizes are awarded each year: one for a book, one for journalism and another for blogging...
for Political Journalism in 2011.
She was described as "the stand-out journalist in an outstanding field". The judges said:
"Her empathy for the world beyond Westminster gives her writing an extra dimension often lacking in political insiders. There is an overriding humanity to her work, whether she is covering the death-throes of the last Labour government or the birth-pangs of the Coalition."
External links
- The Evening Standard - Jenni Russell profile page
- The Guardian - Jenni Russell profile page
- The New Statesman - Jenni Russell profile page