Some of the biggest names in political and foreign reporting have been confirmed to speak at the Society of Editors’ upcoming Future of News conference.
Taking place at the Leonardo Royal Hotel in London on 17 March 2026, the conference will bring together more than 200 editors and news executives from across the UK’s national, regional, broadcast and digital media for a full day of debate, discussion and practical insight on the biggest challenges and opportunities facing journalism. The conference is supported by Allwyn, Octopus Energy and VodafoneThree.
New names confirmed for the conference this week include Cathy Newman, Presenter at Channel 4 News; Beth Rigby, Political Editor at Sky News; Manisha Ganguly, Investigations Correspondent at The Guardian; Secunder Kermani, Foreign Correspondent at Channel 4; Anthony Loyd, Special Correspondent at The Times; Sam McAlister, Journalist, Author and Producer; Sir Andy Marsh QPM, Chief Executive at the College of Policing; Matt Frei, Presenter at Channel 4 News; Stuart Ramsay, Chief Correspondent at Sky News; Chief Constable Gavin Stephens QPM, Chair of the National Police Chiefs’ Council as well as Tanya Fowles, Local Democracy Reporter at The Impartial Reporter and Liam Thorp, Political Editor of the Liverpool Echo.
They join speakers announced earlier this year including Chris Mason, Political Editor at the BBC, Sam Greenhill, Chief Reporter at the Daily Mail, Sarah Whitehead, Director of Newsgathering and Operations at Sky News and Steve Hendrix, London Bureau Chief at The Washington Post.
Announcing the extended line-up, Dawn Alford, Chief Executive of the Society of Editors, said: “This year we have a truly exceptional line-up of speakers who are best placed to offer our audience insights and practical takeaways on the Future of News.
“The conference will not only provide a forum for lively debate and fresh perspective but it also offers unparalleled networking opportunities alongside some of the UK’s most experienced news leaders as well as political and foreign correspondents. We look forward to welcoming the industry on 17 March.”
This year’s programme will feature a series of panel discussions focused on the real pressures facing editors and reporters today, and the decisions newsrooms are having to make at pace. Sessions will include reporting politics in the UK, the future of investigations and campaigning journalism and how to fund it, reporting war in the age of disinformation and verification and what US politics can teach UK editors about managing access, narrative control and audience trust in an increasingly fragmented media environment.
The conference will also include a panel on the relationship between the police and the press, exploring practical challenges around access, safety, legal risk and day-to-day newsroom realities, as well as a session examining how film, TV and popular culture shape public attitudes to journalism and the role of reporters in public life. The Editors’ Panel will also be returning and will hear from some of the most experienced editors and news leaders across the UK.
Additional speakers, including keynotes, are yet to be announced. The Future of News conference sells out each year, and early booking is strongly recommended. To take advantage of the early-bird rate before 7 February 2026, contact office@societyofeditors.org.
