The Chiswick Book Festival wouldn’t be possible without the hard work of our chairs, who’ve taken time out from their busy lives to read the books and prepare questions for authors that will get the best out of each session. Here are the faces you’ll see on stage along with links to details about their sessions.
Alex Gerlis
Thriller writer Alex Gerlis (City of Traitors) talks to Jane Thynne & Charles Cumming about spies in fiction.
Alison Stewart
Alison Stewart chairs a discussion with authors Nigel Twumasi and Laura Henry-Allain MBE along with Carina Spaulding from the Reading Agency about how to get children reading for fun.
Caroline Frost
Caroline Frost talks to Nick Clegg about reforming Big Tech; to Sarah Vine & Iain Dale about their political lives; how book adaptations can make good TV with Matt Baker & John Yorke.
Charles Cumming
Spy writer Charles Cumming (Icarus 17) talks to Ben Macintyre about his latest gripping true life story, Redwood.
Emma Curtis
Emma Curtis (The Psychiatrist) talks to Essie Fox about the challenges and delights of retelling Wuthering Heights.
Frances Linzee Gordon
Frances Linzee Gordon goes on a tour of France’s people and places through its greatest writers with Peter Fiennes.
Helen Brocklebank
Helen Brocklebank talks to Mary Portas about her personal and professional journey in retail.
Jacks Thomas
Festival chair Jacks Thomas talks to Adele Parks about the intrigue of Our Beautiful Mess and to Louise Doughty & Blake Morrison about their memoirs.
Janet Ellis
Janet Ellis talks to Lord Alf Dubs, one of the UK's leading campaigners for human rights about his new memoir.
Jo Coburn
Jo Coburn talks about Brexit, Prime Ministers and the state of the nation with Anthony Seldon.
Jo Pratt
Cook and presenter Jo Pratt chairs our Sipsmith Gin and anchovy event, as well as talking to Bee Wilson & Felicity Cloake about what food reveals about our true selves.
Jojo Silva
The teacher, Capital Xtra DJ and assionate advocate for literature, storytelling and education is hosting the Local Authors Showcase on 9 September.
Julian Worricker
Julian Worricker is in conversation with Royal biographers Robert Hardman & Catherine Mayer; and talks to Fergal Keane about War, Fear... and the BBC.
Kamal Ahmed
Kamal Ahmed finds out from Reed CEO James Reed why being a good business is good business.
Lucia Osborne Crowley
Lucia Osborne Crowley discusses the global challenges women face with Natasha Walter & Tahmima Anam.
Marianna Spring
Marianna Spring discusses how we can stay in control of AI and Big Tech with Beeban Kidron & Jamie Bartlett.
Michael Pugh
Michael Pugh (Riding Through War and Peace) talks to James Rodgers & Miranda Seymour about people, power and Russia.
Natasha Polisczcuk
Natasha Polisczcuk of BookBrunch talks to Kate Mosse about her new non-fiction book Autumn and to Georgina Moore about her latest novel River of Stars.
Rebecca Jones
Broadcaster Rebecca Jones is in conversation with Jacqueline Wilson about her new book Esme Pepper.
Rishi Dastidar
The poet and cricket enthusiast is chairing Cricket: History, Politics and Poetry with Richard Heller, Peter Oborne and Tim Beard.
Samira Ahmed
Samira Ahmed (A Hard Day's Night) celebrates The Beatles in Chiswick with Beatles historian Mark Lewisohn, and director and producer Tony Palmer.
Sophia Money-Coutts
Sophia Money-Coutts (The Year of the Dog) talks to Tony Parsons about the special relationships between dogs and owners.
Torin Douglas
In the former home of William Hogarth Festival Director Torin Douglas talks to Holly EJ Black about the evolution of printmaking as a means of creative expression.
Vaseem Khan
Vaseem Khan discusses the enduring appeal of Agatha Christie with Cathy Rentzinbrink & Sophie Hannah.