Gemma is a professor of cello at the Royal College of Music, London. She was winner of the prestigious Pierre Fournier Award in 2007, and made her concerto debut at the age of 16 when she won First Prize in the European Music for Youth Competition in Oslo.

A prolific journalist with a fortnightly column in The Spectator, Lionel Shriver has also published non-fiction work and fifteen novels, including the Orange-Prize winner We Need to Talk About Kevin.  Her work has been translated into 35 languages. 

Mark Lawson FRSL is a journalist, broadcaster, author and playwright. His work as a broadcaster includes Mark Lawson Talks To… (BBC4), Front Row (BBC Radio 4) and Late Review / Review / Newsnight Review (BBC2). His novels include The Allegations, The Deaths, Enough Is Enough, Idlewild and Going Out Live.

One of Britain’s most respected pianists, Danny Driver studied at Cambridge University and the Royal College of Music. Concerto engagements have included many of the UK’s major orchestras and two appearances at the BBC Proms. He made his debut at New York’s Carnegie Hall in March 2025.

Ed Vaizey is a member of the House of Lords, business adviser, broadcaster, speaker and event host. He was the MP for Wantage from 2005-2019. He was Culture and Digital Minister from 2010-16, and is the longest-serving Minister in that role. He was appointed a privy councillor in 2016.