partner, Womble Bond Dickinson

Nigel heads Womble Bond Dickinson’s Housing Group, and is client partner for a number of major organisations in the sector, including Grainger, The National Trust, The Wellcome Trust, Southern Residential, Retirement Bridge and Hearthstone Investments. Womble Bond Dickinson is seen as market leader in the housing sector and, since Nigel joined the firm in 1992, he has specialised in all aspects of residential property.

He became a board member of Byker Community Trust in July 2013. The Trust was the registered provider for the iconic Byker Estate in Newcastle upon Tyne. On BCT’s merger with Karbon in April 2021 Nigel became a member of the Byker Committee from April 2021 to July 2022.

Nigel is a member of the Strategic Advisory Group of the UKAA (UK Apartment Association) and co-chairs the Research, Education and Policy Committee. He also sits on the Regional Policy Committee of the BPF, is a trustee of Urban Green Newcastle, a board member of Your Homes Newcastle, the ALMO of both Newcastle City Council and NE1, Newcastle’s BID (Business Improvement District) company.

Since May 2020, Nigel has been Head of the Newcastle Office of Womble Bond Dickinson and led their office move to The Spark, a purpose-built development on The Helix. The move was one of the first to be designed, constructed and delivered since the start of the pandemic, and is designed for the new post-pandemic ways of working.

Outside of work Nigel is a junior rugby coach and fan of the Boro.

Follow Nigel on Twitter @nigelemmerson

senior fellow, the Center for European Policy Analysis

Aaron Allen is a senior non-resident fellow at the Center for European Policy Analysis, international affairs lecturer, and freelance journalist. He was most recently a National Security Fellow with the Robert Bosch Stiftung where he worked for the German Coordinator of Transatlantic Cooperation in the Bundestag and Auswärtiges Amt in Berlin. Previously, he worked in the U.S. House of Representatives as a Senior Foreign Policy Advisor, Committee Professional Staff Member, and was the founder and former President of the Foreign Affairs Congressional Staff Association. He holds a master’s degree in security studies from Georgetown’s School of Foreign Service and a bachelor’s degree in history and political science from the University of California, Berkeley.

writer, researcher & DM alumnus

Ethan has produced award-winning research into the collapse of Roman democracy, and has spoken or written widely on a range of topics — with a particular interest in British Enlightenment history. A Debating Matters Alumnus, Ethan went on to lead his university’s debating society and represent them at the European level.

He is a vociferous advocate in the value of education, having tutored many students to great academic success. Moreover, being a life-long believer in the decisive importance of free speech, he supports Ideas Matter in any capacity he can; most commonly by supporting their Living Freedom activities.

Follow Ethan either via Twitter or his website: https://theethangreen.simple.ink/

Student of International Relations at Durham University

Emma is an 18-year-old student studying International Relations at Durham University. She grew up in Madrid, Spain, where she attended school before moving to the UK for her degree. She is passionate about debate and has participated in the World Universities Debating Championships as well as many Model UN conferences across Europe. Prior to university, she trained in rhythmic gymnastics and competed at national level representing Spain. During her second term at Durham University, she joined a Free Speech Charity organisation, where she was elected Social Secretary. In March she organised an Alumni Charity Ball which raised over £1,000. In the future, she is hoping to pursue a career in Diplomacy and Foreign Affairs. 

Environmental Scientist

Paula has worked in evidence-based nature conservation for over 15 years, with experience in the public, academic and charity sectors.  She completed her PhD in marine data science at Newcastle University and lives and works in Northumberland.

With interests in a wide range of political, cultural and social issues, Paula is passionate about free speech and live debate. She is an active member of the Social Democratic Party, co-organiser of the recently formed Newcastle Politics in Pubs group and enjoys attending Academy of Ideas events.

Software Engineer

Joris is a software engineer, living and working in Berlin. He has a passion for the tech industry and an interest in philosophy. Joris believes debate is a crucial framework that shapes open societies.

Freelance language service provider

Originally from Washington DC, Anne received her MA in Political Science and History from the University of Konstanz. She worked as an exhibitions coordinator in Dresden and Singen before going freelance as a language services provider in 1998. She provides intercultural communication skills training, teaches presenting and writing skills, edits and translates, and provides individual, group, and team systemic coaching. She promotes fierce communication to help build a fearless society. She co-authored the textbook Basis for Business C1 Course Book, Cornelsen Verlag (2014, 2nd revised edition 2019).

Visit Anne’s website: annehodgson.de and follow her on Twitter @AnneHodg

Principal of South College

Tim is the founding Principal of South College. Prior to his appointment he was most recently founding Head of the Centre for Journalism at the University of Kent. He was also founder and director of KMTV, a local television station for Kent.

An award-winning journalist for BBC News and Current Affairs and former editor of The Scotsman newspaper, Tim began his career on BBC Radio 4’s Today programme and went on to work as a producer, reporter and editor in Washington DC, the Middle East and Europe. He covered the Romanian Revolution and the Gulf War for BBC News. He was also a member of the team that designed and launched BBC Radio 5 Live. Subsequently, he worked as Editor of News Programmes at BBC Scotland, taking responsibility for the BBC’s Scottish news output on radio and television from newsrooms extending from Glasgow to Lerwick.

He is author of several books and has written as a columnist for newspapers including The Guardian, Times and Independent, the Daily Mail, New Statesman, Spectator and Los Angeles Times. Prior to entering journalism, he was an adviser to the Right Honourable Donald Dewar MP when he was Shadow Secretary of State for Scotland, 1985-1988.

He is a noted newspaper historian and campaigner for press freedom. His research focuses on the depiction of dissent in British and American newspapers between 1936 and 1945. While a student, he played bass guitar in Tony Tiger and the Frosties, a student band that entertained thousands at May Balls and College events. He is married, with three daughters and a son.

party leader, Social Democratic Party

William joined the SDP in 1982 and campaigned in general elections, local elections and by-elections throughout the 1980s. By 1989 he was on the SDP’s approved list of parliamentary candidates. William later spent four years in the Conservative party, becoming a district councillor in 1999 and serving on Tynedale Council until 2003. A former parliamentary candidate on two occasions, he is presently chairman of Corbridge Parish Council in Northumberland. William became leader of the Social Democrats in early 2018 and was re-elected in March 2020 obtaining 89 per cent of votes returned by members.

William has written articles for the Spectator, spiked and UnHerd and regularly makes media appearances on TalkRadio. He holds first and masters degrees in urban planning and property management respectively and read philosophy at Durham University at postgraduate level.

Follow William on Twitter: @WilliamClouston

Senior Programme Manager (Festivals & Events) at New Writing North and Director of Durham Book Festival

Rebecca Wilkie has twenty years of experience working in the literature sector. She leads on New Writing North’s festivals and events programme, including the Durham Book Festival which takes place each October, the Gordon Burn Prize and a growing programme of literature activity in Newcastle upon Tyne.  Rebecca joined New Writing North in 2012 having previously worked for national reading charity Book Trust and at literary agency The Agency (London) Ltd. She has a BA in English from University College London and an MLitt in English (specialising in Children’s Literature) from Newcastle University.