Emily Maitlis began her professional journey with a strong foundation in dramatic arts. Due to her passion for drama, she initially aspired to be a theatre director. However, she shifted her direction toward journalism and broadcasting.

Her early television career was based in Hong Kong, where she spent six influential years as a business journalist and documentary maker for TVB News and NBC Asia.

During this period, she produced longer-form reports on significant regional developments—ranging from economic crises like the overheating of the “tiger economies” to political transitions such as the handover of sovereignty over Hong Kong, which she covered live alongside Jon Snow for Channel 4

Emily Maitlis | TV Career in the UK

After returning from Hong Kong, Emily Maitlis joined Sky News in the late 1990s as a business correspondent, bringing with her the international perspective and documentary-making experience she had gained in Asia. 

In 2001, she moved to the BBC, initially presenting BBC London News, where she became a familiar face on regional television. Her sharp interviewing style and confident delivery soon led to national opportunities. By 2006, she had joined the team at BBC Two’s flagship current affairs programme Newsnight, where she would spend the next 16 years and become one of the country’s most recognised and respected journalists.

Beyond Newsnight, Emily appeared on BBC One, BBC Radio 4, and BBC World, contributing to various current affairs and special programmes. Her presence on UK television became synonymous with trusted journalism, particularly during times of political and social upheaval.

Emily Maitlis | Beyond the BBC

In 2022, after more than two decades with the BBC, she departed the broadcaster, citing issues with editorial freedom. She joined forces with her Newsnight colleague Lewis Goodall and former BBC North America editor Jon Sopel to launch The News Agents, a podcast backed by Global. The show quickly became one of the UK’s most downloaded current affairs podcasts, offering sharp, often provocative commentary on politics, culture and global news with Maitlis’s signature clarity and confidence.

In 2023, she co-executive produced a Channel 4 documentary, Andrew: The Problem Prince, offering a deeper look into the background of the infamous interview. Later that year, she served as executive producer on Amazon’s three-part drama A Very Royal Scandal, based on the same episode, which premiered in September 2024. Additionally, she co-hosted Channel 4’s coverage of the 2024 UK General Election and the 2024 US Elections.

Emily Maitlis | Awards

Emily Maitlis has received widespread recognition for her impactful journalism and broadcasting excellence.

In 2020, she won the prestigious Network Presenter of the Year award at the Royal Television Society Journalism Awards, with judges praising her as “a master of her craft.”

That year, she was named Broadcast Journalist of the Year at the London Press Club Awards.

Her now-famous Newsnight interview with Prince Andrew in 2019 received global acclaim and went on to win Interview of the Year at the RTS Awards and Scoop of the Year at the British Journalism Awards.

Emily also won the Wincott Business Award for her documentary Inside Facebook, about its founder Mark Zuckerberg.

In 2023, her podcast The News Agents – co-hosted with Jon Sopel and Lewis Goodall – won Podcast of the Year at the British Journalism Awards, reinforcing her ability to innovate across platforms and maintain relevance in a changing media landscape.

Emily Maitlis | Writing 

Emily is also an accomplished author and writer. Her debut book, Airhead: The Imperfect Art of Making News (2019), is a part memoir, part behind-the-scenes account of life as a broadcast journalist. The book offers a candid and often witty exploration of her most memorable interviews and the chaos behind live news, receiving widespread praise for its honesty and humour.

In 2022, she followed up with This Is Not A Pity Memoir, a deeply personal and emotionally resonant account of her husband’s serious illness and its impact on their family. Both books became Sunday Times bestsellers. Beyond publishing, Emily has written op-eds and political commentary for outlets including The Times, The Spectator, and The New Statesman, cementing her reputation as a sharp and fearless voice in British journalism.

 Why Book Emily Maitlis?

Emily’s career spans journalism, broadcasting, podcasting, and authorship. From ground-breaking interviews to creating powerful news podcasts and producing compelling documentaries, she remains a fearless and respected voice in media and beyond. Her journey reflects resilience, adaptability, and a commitment to holding power to account, making her a compelling choice for audiences seeking insight, authenticity, and leadership in media.

She is no stranger to public speaking, and is a popular choice for a keynote speaker, moderating debates, and hosting  corporate award events. She is vastly experienced in topics such as business, current affairs, and politics, and is the perfect speaker for a range of events and sectors.

Call +44 1753 439 289 or email speaker agent Great British Speakers now to book Emily Maitlis for your next live event or corporate video.  Contact us.