WHO ARE THE JOURNALISTS AT THE NO BS MEDIA SUMMIT THIS YEAR?
The No BS Media Summit returns on the 11th and 12th November 2026 at the DoubleTree by Hilton in Swindon, bringing together some of the most potent voices in journalism, PR and the media. The Summit is designed for those who want straight talking insights without the waffle. This two-day event guarantees honest conversations about the realities of engaging with journalists and standing out from the crowd in today’s fast moving media landscape.
With a lineup of interesting and dynamic speakers, the No BS Media Summit offers first hand perspectives on what really makes a good story and what business owners really need to do to keep up. Whether you’re an expert or a beginner when it comes to PR, the Summit offers a rare opportunity to talk directly with those shaping the headlines.
As mentioned in previous blogs, five journalists from around the world will be attending the day one event. Two of the journalists and three speakers will join us for the second day working with everyone in groups to help you pitch a story to the media.
First, we have John Boitnott, a freelance journalist and content strategist with almost thirty years experience across broadcast television, radio, print and digital media. John is a VIP contributor to Entrepreneur.com with more than twelve years of published work on the site, and host of ‘From the Ground Up,’ a podcast interviewing entrepreneurs and business leaders on Grit Daily. His bylines include Fortune, Fast Company, Business Insider, JotForm, and Sporting News. His work spans technology, AI, sustainability, personal finance, SaaS, and entrepreneurship – written for both B2B and general audiences. John’s written hundreds of articles for long-term content partners, ghostwritten for executives, and managed editorial teams and subcontract writers.
Later, John went independent and spent more than a decade in broadcast news as a TV reporter, radio anchor, and web editor at ABC, CBS, and NBC affiliates in California, including KPIX, KNTV, and KEYT.
Next, we have Claudia Redmond MA. Claudia is an experienced broadcast journalist, producer, and writer who has worked extensively across major media outlets including ITV, BBC, Sky News, and Channel 4. She’s known for her work in the entertainment and arts field. She frequently reports and produces items on theatre, dance, and culture for TV, social media and print. Her career includes stints at London Weekend Television, GMTV, and BBC News within television, radio, social and online media. Claudia also ran a local cable tv station owned by NTL. This involved training volunteers, producing, and presenting an entertainment magazine show along with overseeing the output of the channel. Claudia is excited by the pace at which the media is becoming more accessible on different platforms. She’s also enjoying the challenge of creating content for all platforms and for audiences of all ages.
The event also features Kerry Parnell, a Kent based freelance journalist, who writes for British, Australian and US publications. She covers features and lifestyle content for titles including The Daily Mail, Independent, The Telegraph, Australian, News Corp Australia’s Escape.com.au and Reader’s Digest USA. Kerry’s career includes senior editing roles on Sydney’s The Telegraph, Australian Glamour, Marie Claire Australia, Red and Glamour, UK. With 25 years in newspapers and women’s magazines, Kerry loves discovering great stories that resonate with readers. She specialises in British travel and royal content and runs two successful newsletters, the Royal List and The British Travel List, on Substack.
A returning journalist from last year is Dan Martin. Dan’s a freelance journalist and event host with over 20 years of experience. During his career, he has interviewed some of the biggest names in entrepreneurship including Sir Richard Branson and Deborah Meaden, and politicians such as David Cameron, Lord Young, Jeremy Corbyn and Vince Cable. He has hosted, curated and taken part in many events including running live webchats from inside 10 Downing Street, and travelling around the world on small business trade missions. Dan has worked for some of the UK’s top small business publications and small business support organisations including as head of content for small business network Enterprise Nation. Freelance since 2020, Dan now writes content and hosts events and podcasts for small businesses and the organisations that support them. He still works with Enterprise Nation as news and politics reporter, host of the organisation’s Small Business Sessions podcast, and Bristol local leader, which involves running a monthly meet-up for local business owners. Another of Dan’s clients is Bristol Creative Industries, the not-for-profit organisation that supports the city’s thriving creative sector.
We will also be joined by Jo Riley, a journalist with over twenty-five years of experience. Jo works alongside professional photographer Geoff Robinson and together they have had more than 16,000 stories and pictures published in every national newspaper in the UK and across the globe. Jo started work as a news reporter for the Cambridge Evening News and later became news editor at press agency Mason’s, based in Cambridge. She has experience writing a huge assortment of stories, including news, celebrity, human interest, nature and wildlife. She also writes real life features, and her stories have appeared in numerous magazines, including Bella, Take a Break, Chat and Pick Me Up.
Both Jo Riley and John Boitnott will also be joining us for the second day of the event alongside three speakers. This isn’t just another event overloaded with information. The No BS Media Summit is designed specifically to tailor to you and your needs.
If you’re ready to start challenging what is working in your business and what isn’t then this event might be exactly what you need.
To book head to https://scottmedia.uk/product/the-no-bs-media-summit-2026/