For over four decades, Mariella has been at the forefront of UK media as a leading journalist, broadcaster, author, and cultural commentator; in particular covering the worlds of arts, culture and societal issues. She has tirelessly promoted the intrinsic value of arts and culture to wider society and the importance that they connect with and are accessible to all.
Mariella’s name is synonymous with arts and literature, having presented the UK’s leading book programmes, cultural shows and judged its highest literary and arts awards. She was the first non-elected member of the Royal Academy’s Council for a full six-year term, dealing with all issues pertaining to the running of the RA including financial, curatorial and reputational.
As a broadcaster she has created, presented and produced many flagship television and radio shows/documentaries and been a lead columnist across the arts, culture and news. She has been entrusted with almost every prominent UK arts award, being a member of judging panels from the Booker to the BAFTAs, RIBA to the Turner Prize. She was awarded Doctor of Arts from Nottingham University in 2009 for her lifelong work and achievement in arts and culture.
Mariella is also a leading figure in the UK’s gender equality movement and a driving force behind gender equality in the workplace. She co-founded the annual Women in Work Summit (@WiWSummit), is the Government’s Menopause Employment Ambassador, chairs the advocacy group Menopause Mandate, and is a Save the Children Ambassador.
Mariella is a Royal Society of Literature fellow and a BAFTA member. More recently, she has become a Trustee of the V&A.
Mariella Frostrup trustee term dates
First term: 13 May 2025 – 12 May 2028