Gaurav Sharma, IBT UK’s new business editor, will start a weekly column in June, whilst also engaging with the finance community and market commentators to co-ordinate business and economics commentary.
High-profile columnist, broadcaster and author Yasmin Alibhai-Brown will also start a regular weekly column from June on topics such as domestic and international politics, feminism and the arts. Joining her as a columnist is Inna Shevchenko, activist and leader of the international women’s movement FEMEN.
Alastair Campbell – widely known for his work as Director of Communications and Strategy for Tony Blair between 1994 and 2003 - has also started a fortnightly column. His most recent book, Winners: And How They Succeed, was an instant Sunday Times bestseller.
Other new columnists include Michael Toner, former chief leader writer at The Daily Mail; Ben Rooney, current holder of the Europas European Technology Journalist of the Year, who will pen a weekly column; former Guardian and ESPN sports writer and editor Steve Busfield will also write a weekly column for IBT UK; David Mepham, UK Director of Human Rights Watch, will contribute fortnightly. Harcharan Chandhoke will offer commentary on issues affecting the Indian diaspora across current affairs, culture and sport.
They join a number of other high-profile columnists in IBT UK’s growing ranks at its Canary Wharf headquarters. They include Laura Bates, founder of the Everyday Sexism Project, which has collated over 100,000 women’s stories of harassment and discrimination; James Bloodworth, former editor of Left Foot Forward, one of the UK’s most popular political blogs; Yomi Adegoke, who writes on race, popular culture and feminism; and Sultan al-Qassmi, an Emirati commentator on Arab affairs who rose to prominence during the 2011 revolutions when he translated and live-tweeted updates, say the publishers.
Speaking about the new additions to the roster of writers, comment editor Laura Davis said: “I am absolutely delighted to have such a talented and diverse range of columnists for the IBT UK edition. With the addition of our new writers, we will seek to challenge and entertain our audience with up-to-the minute commentary.”
Commenting on the line-up of prominent columnists complementing the growing newsroom which now comprises some 70 reporters and stringers from London, John Crowley, who was appointed in March as editor-in-chief of the International Business Times UK, said: “This impressive roster of commentators underlines our ability to work with a broad range of opinion-makers to bring our readers cutting-edge commentary across a wide range of topics. Our quality editorial is already reaping significant rewards and I have no doubt that this diverse and talented group of commentators will further drive the popularity and significance of our offering.”
