Eve Pollard

Eve Pollard OBE is a trailblazing journalist and broadcaster known as 'The First Lady of Fleet Street'. As one of the first female editors of a national newspaper in the UK, she led the Sunday Mirror and Sunday Express, founded the influential organisation Women in Journalism in 1992, and served as its first Chair. Recognised with the prestigious Journalist Laureate prize by the London Press Club in 2019, she was also appointed the first Chair of Reporters Without Borders UK in 2016. Through her media commentary, charity leadership with Wellbeing of Women, and advocacy for women in the industry, Eve empowers audiences with insights on breaking barriers, leadership resilience, and championing equality in male-dominated fields.

When Eve Pollard took the helm of the Sunday Mirror in 1987, she shattered one of British journalism's most enduring glass ceilings, becoming one of the first women to edit a national newspaper in the UK. Her tenure at the Sunday Mirror from 1987 to 1991, followed by her leadership of the Sunday Express from 1991 to 1994, established her as a formidable force in Fleet Street at a time when newsrooms remained overwhelmingly male-dominated. Beyond the editor's chair, she launched Elle Magazine in the US as editor-in-chief in 1985 and shaped the editorial vision of You Magazine for the Mail on Sunday and the Sunday magazine for the News of the World, demonstrating her versatility across both tabloid and glossy publishing.

Eve's influence extends far beyond her own editorial achievements into systemic change for women in media. In 1992, she founded Women in Journalism, an organisation dedicated to networking, campaigning, and training for women in the industry, serving as its first Chair and continuing as Honorary President. Her commitment to championing equality earned her recognition from the London Press Club, which awarded her the prestigious Journalist Laureate prize in 2019 for her inspirational leadership as an editor and broadcaster. In 2016, she became the first Chair of Reporters Without Borders UK, reinforcing her dedication to press freedom and journalistic integrity. Her media presence remains vibrant through regular newspaper reviews on television, guest appearances on Loose Women, and her role as ITV's correspondent for major royal events, including the 2011 wedding of Prince William and Catherine and the 2012 Diamond Jubilee coverage. She has also served on the Competition Commission's Newspaper Takeover Panel and as Vice-Chairman of Wellbeing of Women since 2003, bringing her strategic insight to women's health advocacy. Appointed OBE in 2008, she chaired the BBC Radio 4 panel that named the UK's 100 Most Powerful Women in 2013.

For organisations seeking to inspire their teams on leadership resilience, breaking barriers, and navigating male-dominated industries, Eve offers unparalleled perspective drawn from decades at the sharp end of British journalism. Her presentations illuminate the practical strategies that enabled her to succeed in environments designed to exclude women, whilst her founding of Women in Journalism demonstrates her commitment to creating pathways for others. Audiences gain actionable insights on building influence, championing diversity, and leading with conviction under pressure. Eve's warm, candid style transforms her remarkable career into accessible lessons that resonate across sectors, empowering attendees to challenge conventions and drive meaningful change within their own organisations.