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 talks to Jane Thynne & Charles Cumming about spies in fiction.
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 talks to Ben Macintyre about his latest gripping true life story, Redwood.
Emma Curtis
Emma Curtis talks to Essie Fox about the challenges and delights of retelling Wuthering Heights.
Fr Kevin Morris
Fr Kevin Morris discusses America with Edward Stourton and considers the secrets of the Stoic life with Tom Hodgkinson.
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 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 presents the prizes for the 2026 Young Poets competition.
Julian Worricker
Julian Worricker is in conversations with Royal biographers Robert Hardman & Catherine Mayer.
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.
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.
Samira Ahmed
Samira Ahmed celebrates The Beatles in Chiswick with Beatles historian Mark Lewisohn, and director and producer Tony Palmer.
Sophia Money-Coutts
Sophia Money-Coutts talks to Tony Parsons about the special relationships between dogs and owners.
Vaseem Khan
Vaseem Khan discusses the enduring appeal of Agatha Christie with Cathy Rentzinbrink & Sophie Hannah.