Adam McDonnell is Head of Sales & Partnerships at whynow, the media company behind Great Big Story, Rock Sound, Film Stories and The Independent Podcast Awards. Before whynow, he was the Advertising and Partnerships Director at Dennis Publishing in the UK and US. Adam believes the IPA's exist to shine a light on the creativity happening outside the walls of the major networks and to give those creators the recognition they deserve.

PhD social anthropologist, podcaster, and mum of 2 small children. Originally from Chicago, now living in Edinburgh.

Amber is Content is Queen's Studio and Production Manager. She is the programme lead for their flagship Micro-Grant for Podcasters Programme providing pastoral and production support during the programme. Amber has worked with big named brands including BBC, Hello Magazine, Rouleur, WeTransfer, Jetty Films, Sotheby's, The Digital Fairy, and Little Dot Studios. Amber won Editor of the Year at the inaugural Audio Awards in 2024 and went on to be selected as the Radio Academy's ReelWorld 30 under 30.

Ana Xavier is a multilingual, award-winning podcast strategist and marketer empowering global creators to grow, monetize, and lead. As founder of The Podcast Space and international speaker, she's coached women, minorities, and multilingual businesses worldwide to increase engagement, secure sponsorships, and become unstoppable industry voices.

CEO, Media Personality, Podcast Host/ Producer and Founder

at The Claudes SEN Law Campaign | Shinespot Light Cultivating Awareness Podcast

Award-winning social justice advocate, sustainability leader, entrepreneur and podcast host. He champions inclusion, disability rights, education and environmental action, using media and public speaking to amplify underrepresented voices.

Becca is an award-winning producer who has worked audio for over 20 years. She is currently making narrative factual series for BBC Studios Audio.

Bethan is a podcaster (I Wish Someone Would Ask Me), voluntary radio presenter, writer, ghostwriter and poet currently working on a children's series involving a wayward goat, an auto-fiction book and dabbling with Substack.

She's a member of Mothers Who Write, an online writing community, which is one of the best parts of her week. When she's not driving her kids everywhere, she's distracted by charity shops, dresses and Belle and Sebastian, (the group not the cartoon!).

Cambria is a Welsh writer and producer/director and BAFTA-nominated executive producer. She co-created the award winning, chart topping audio series UP IN SMOKE starring Mei Mac and Adam Buxton, and her most recent drama OUT OF TIME airs on BBC Radio4 in October. Cambria also works across digital and documentary.

Cass Denton is an audio producer who has worked on award-winning shows for broadcasters and independent production companies for more than a decade. Passionate about storytelling, Cass's work spans radio, podcasts, audiobooks and live events, from community projects to major broadcasters, brands and news organisations.

Chhavi Sachdev is a radio and podcast producer, consultant, and coach. She is also the most experienced podcaster in India -- she has been making podcasts since 2008. She runs Sonologue Podcast Productions. Her independent work is frequently on the BBC World Service. She is an accredited Solutions Journalism trainer.

Chloe Sackur is a graduate of the Podcasting MA at City St George’s. She won Student Journalist of the Year at the CRN Awards, and is a Charles Parker Prize nominee. She has produced R4 dramas for Almost Tangible and co-produces Total 90s Recall.

Chloe Hadjimatheou is the Observer's Narrative Editor and an award winning investigative journalist. She reported the podcast series: Lucky Boy, The Gas Man and The Walkers - the story she broke about the real Salt Path. She is currently working on a podcast about the former first lady of Syria.

Claire Tavernier is a chair and non-executive director in media and technology. She is the Chair of the Film and TV Charity and Charity Digital, and co-hosts The Media Beat Podcast.

Host of Creativity Found and the limited series Podcasting 2.0 in Practice. Co-host and producer of Creators from TrueFans. Head of Community at TrueFans, the podcast app and hosting platform that makes it easy for listeners to discover and interact with shows and for podcasters to build community and earn from their audience.

Clare Laxton is the creator and host of Killer In The Family podcast, a true crime podcast exploring cases on men who kill their families. She is a PhD researcher at the University of Leeds School of Law examining multi-agency responses to domestic abuse and coercive control.

Clare Brunton is the co-creator, co-host and producer of W-Rated podcast, an independent and female-led film podcast focussed on the Bottom 100 films as rated on IMDB. Outside of podcasting, she's passionate about films, music and volunteering.

Damien is CEO and Co-Founder of Podomedy, the award-winning comedy podcast network championing indie creators and original formats. He helps funny podcasters sharpen their shows, grow audiences and navigate the industry.

Audio expert who has worked in radio and podcasting since 1992. As The Media Mentor help people with their media careers.

Derric Holland is a podcast host, storyteller, and independent media creator with a passion for amplifying authentic voices. As the creator of Built Different and founder of FreqVault Radio, he champions independent artists, creators, and community-driven content while fostering meaningful conversations through podcasting, radio, and digital media.

Ed Morrish is a Rose d'Or-winning audio producer who has been running Lead Mojo Productions since 2020.

Elaine Gregersen is a podcaster, writer and mentor. She co-hosts the TV and film podcast The Honeymoon Period and is passionate about championing independent voices through audio storytelling.

Em has been a podcaster for over seven years; producing and hosting over 350 episodes of the award-winning film history podcast, Verbal Diorama. She's also the co-creator of the Independent Podcast Awards. She's just as passionate about independent podcasting, and supporting other indie podcasters and content creators, as she is about the greatest movie ever made, which is The Mummy (1999). 

Website: verbaldiorama.com

I am a South Jersey-based author who publishes his daily podcast review and trends e-publication —Ear Worthy — on several platforms, including Blogger, Substack, ManyStories, Medium, Tumblr, and Vocal. Ear Worthy is a platform dedicated to supporting independent podcasts and podcasters. Each year, the publication, through its organizational structure, awards the BEST OF… in independent podcasts via The Ear Worthy Awards.

Celebrity Catch Up won Podcast of the Year at the inaugural Independent Podcast Awards in 2023. Genevieve is a former BBC News entertainment editor and journalist who interviewed hundreds of celebrities for more than a decade. She also once interviewed comic book legend Stan Lee in a lift.

Described by himself as "a trailblazing revolutionary in the industry" and by his mum as "a funny looking chap", Giles is the founder of international podcast festival, Cheerful Earful and its spin-off comedy podcast awards, The Golden Lobes. The festival turns 5 this October with 100+ live shows across 3 continents.

Giulia Ciccolella is the PR Lead at Podcast Discovery. She's been working in the podcast industry for five years and she is a fan of investigative series, comedy podcasts and shows that make learn something new.

Graeme Woodcock is a senior producer at Cue Podcasts. He has over a decade of experience working in audio and seven years working in video production. Graeme has worked on shows for BBC World Service, MORETHAN and SpareRoom. He is an avid podcast listener in his spare time and loves discovering new independent shows to binge.

Halina Rifai is an award-winning podcast and audio producer in Scotland. Her credits include BBC Radio Scotland, BBC Radio 4, The Ferret, Mental Health Foundation and The Big Light. Her focus is systemic inequalities, human rights and mental health.

Harkiran Kalsi is an illustrator, lettering artist, author and creative facilitator. She works with brands, charities and communities to bring stories to life through art, workshops and live illustration. Passionate about creativity, culture and connection, Harkiran uses visual storytelling to inspire, engage and spark meaningful conversations.

At Rusty Quill, Hattie works on advertising, sales, merchandise, marketing, social media and anything else that comes her way. Her background is in the book industry, having worked as a bookseller and at a publishing company.

Helen Parker is Managing Director and Co-Founder of Strange Magic Studios. An agency that develops and makes podcasts, AND releases them to be an award winning success. She has worked with the top commissioners worldwide including BBC, Audible, Global, APM and top brands such as TUI, adidas, Net-a-Porter, Vogue and Unicef.

Hi there! I am an experienced arts and events professional with nearly two decades of leadership across some of the UK’s leading theatres. A passionate podcast listener with wide-ranging interests, I have a keen ear for storytelling, audience engagement and production quality, alongside extensive expertise in live entertainment and cultural experiences.

After studying Music Tech at Edinburgh University, Helen started her career in audio at 7digital and Sony Music, before moving to the BBC. Now in advertising, Helen has continued her love of audio by producing and editing the award-winning podcast, Fetch the Smelling Salts.

With a background spanning BBC events, marketing and creative businesses, Holly Hourihan is passionate about connecting stories with audiences. At Podspike, she champions independent creators and grows audiences for podcasts and brands, keeping the client voice central to every campaign.

Ian Harries has spent the last six years co-hosting and producing the award winning The Podcast Nobody Asked For, an independent comedy and film podcast that has carved out a niche for weird ideas, strong opinions, and surprising emotional depth. Alongside this he’s also heavily involved in grassroots rugby as both a player and club media lead, combining his love of storytelling with a healthy appreciation for organised chaos.

Jamie Adam is a freelance producer and editor. One of the first graduates of the MA Podcasting at City, University of London he has gone on to produce chart topping podcasts, BBC Radio 4 documentaries and projects with University of Oxford. He also manages the Voices Studio Residency Programme, supporting independent creators.

Jemma met Josie at Bristol University forming a comedy double-act & sketch group, The Secret Gardeners. They were Funny Women Awards finalists 2004. Their podcast Shelly & The Can-Do Kids launched in 2023. Winners Podcast of the Year (IPA 2025) Children’s Podcast (IPA 2025) Finalists (BPA 2024 IWPA 2024).

Jessica Beck is a producer on The Mishal Husain Show at Bloomberg Weekend, and previously Bloomberg’s narrative daily news podcast Big Take. Jessica has also worked for The Guardian, NPR, and the BBC. For Audible, Jessica was a writer and producer on the narrative series Heist with Michael Caine.

John McBlain is an award-winning producer, educator, and podcasting expert based in Ayrshire. As owner and showrunner of Jon-san Media, a versatile digital media company, he specialises in podcast production, audio journalism, music composition, and innovative productions for creators, charities, and educational institutions. www.jonsanmedia.com

Josie & Jemma met at Bristol University forming a comedy double-act & sketch group, The Secret Gardeners. They were Funny Women Awards finalists 2004. Their podcast Shelly & The Can-Do Kids launched in 2023. Winners Podcast of the Year (IPA 2025) Children’s Podcast (IPA 2025) Finalists (BPA 2024 IWPA 2024).

Katie Stokes is the creator and host of the award-winning podcast Floating Space. She is a freelance audio producer, interviewer, and live-show presenter working across audio.

Katie has been working in events for more than 20 years, producing and delivering live events across a wide variety of business sectors. She specialises in working with membership organisations having previously been Head of Events at Creative UK (formerly the Creative Industries Federation) and Director of Events and Marketing at BritishAmerican Business. Since going freelance in 2022 she has worked with a variety of clients in the creative industries delivering their large scale events and started working with AudioUK in 2023 as Lead Producer on the APAs (Audio Production Awards).

Kevin Field is a UK communications specialist and long‑time audio producer, working across radio, podcasting and community media. He leads comms for the London Prisons Group and supports national organisations with branding, events and accessible messaging. His work focuses on storytelling that connects, informs and strengthens communities.

Keyari Page is an award-winning podcaster, audio producer, and content strategist. She helps podcast creators grow, monetise, and refine their brand voice through strategic storytelling, partnerships, and audience-focused content across events and digital platforms.

Latoya Austin is a London based freelancer covering travel, lifestyle, film and wine. Her words can be found in Golden Globes, Decanter, Sundance Institute, Movie Marker and more. She has been a jury member for SR Socially Relevant Film Festival.

I am an award-winning podcast producer with nearly 20 years of experience in audio production, and now I represent some of the world's best creators through Mercury and Orbit.

Lola is the award-nominated host of The Kádàrá Woman Podcast, honest conversations with African women and women of African descent about what becoming looks like. The show dives deeper into the pivots, purpose questions, and whispers before the leap. She’s also judged for the 2025 International Women's Podcast Awards.

Lucy Patterson is an award-winning podcast host, longevity innovation strategist and champion of curiosity. Through A Beginner's Guide to Design Thinking and The Long Game, she explores bigger questions and better ways to live, work and age.

Maria is the Associate Editor of Film Stories, creating written, audio and video content about film and TV. She has been writing about film for over 10 years and has a BA in Film and TV Studies. She loves horror movies, the gorier the better!

I have spent 30 years working in Audio. From first jobs playing in taped shows to producing and presenting shows for both commercial radio and the BBC. I ran Amazing Radio for 5 years. I now work in Audio for the BBC, Bauer and Soundtrak Radio. My other clients include TBI Media and Care Radio.

Matt is an independent producer, writer and editor, working in podcasting. He has worked on productions for the BBC, Audible, the Daily Mail, and American Public Media, and been honoured at the British Podcast Awards, the Audio Production Awards and the Chip Shop Awards.

Hi! I'm Megan Hayward, Podcast & Social Producer at editaudio! I'm also a creative audio freelancer, and run Bristol Sounds Good- a casual network for south west based audio creatives.

I'm a commissioner and producer who loves sharing big, juicy stories. At the National Trust I develop ideas to connect people with nature and history, including the NT's raft of podcasts. At the BBC I produced for brands like BBC Sounds, BBC Earth and the World Service. I'm loving creating my independent pod, Beastly History. I live in Bristol with my lovely family and enjoy adventures, roller skating and blue cheese.

Nat Doig is the writer, presenter and producer of the multi award winning podcast Weird in the Wade. Nat’s career pivot into podcasting came at the age of 49, though she had been listening to podcasts for many years. She enjoys many genres but in particular true crime, the paranormal and history.

Founder of Podknows Podcasting and 30+ years in the audio industry, uploading podcast content since 2001.

Former world traveller who now edits multitudes of podcasts on daily basis, sometimes even my own! Any other time is spent at the cinema or gigs!

Named on the UK Audio Academy’s 30 Under 30 list for 2025. I am an award-winning narrative producer and the Head of Narrative at Stak.

Nicole Goodman is an award-winning podcaster, author, and fearless voice in independent media. As co-creator of Self Care Club and 40ish, she’s produced over 700 episodes, amassed millions of downloads, and built a loyal following through her signature mix of humor, honesty, and emotional depth. From debunking wellness trends to spotlighting the reality of midlife, Nicole’s work is raw, relatable, and riotously funny. With a bestselling book, chart-topping shows, and recognition from Apple Podcasts’ Spotlight Program, she continues to redefine what it means to be a woman in podcasting—one unfiltered conversation at a time.

Nina Robinson is an award-winning journalist and CEO of media production company Soundtruism based in Birmingham which aims to amplify people and podcasts from diverse backgrounds. Winner of a prestigious Peabody Award and recognised with a Foreign Press Association prize for the innovative documentary, 'Chicago Dog Fighting', Nina travelled the world as a documentary maker for BBC World Service and was based in Kingston, Jamaica as a foreign correspondent.  She was awarded a Fellowship by The Audio Academy in 2023 for being a ‘trailblazer’ in the audio industry.  She was Board Director for the audio industry trade body AudioUK for 5 years and part of their BBC Charter Renewal Group and is now a trustee on the Board of the Audio Academy.  She is also a Fellow of the Sir Lenny Henry Centre for Media Diversity and is a TedX speaker and published author.  She founded the Uni Pod Festival which inspires and upskills next-gen podcast content creators ( www.unipodfest.co.uk). 

Patrick heads up client relations for Podcast Discovery, the UK's leading podcast marketing agency, focusing on growing shows for the likes of Sony, Jampot, the Financial Times and Sky News

Currently at Channel 4, Peggy's freelance career comes after 20 years as a broadcast journalist with BBC local radio. She also created and co-hosted the BBC Sounds podcast Dementia and Me. When you're not listening to a podcast, you might hear her reading the news or introducing Taskmaster. Peggy is based in Yorkshire.

Creative strategist and media professional with over 7 years' experience building brands, audiences, and commercial partnerships from the ground up. My background spans podcast hosting, consultancy, event hosting, and panels, with hands-on expertise across production, storytelling, sponsorship, live events, and team leadership — at the intersection of anime, pop culture, and business strategy. 

TikTok: @animefreshmen

Raj is a multi award winning Producer with a portfolio spanning producing audio for BBC Radio, podcasts for brands and talent, creating record breaking digital content for ITV and producing live events alongside Netflix. She's also an indie podcaster (Almost 40, Thank You Next) and won an ARIA for co-hosting BBC R1's The Reality Tea.

Sangeeta Pillai is is recognised as a leading voice for South Asian feminism globally. Her Masala Podcast has won 6 British Podcast Awards, 1 Audio Production Award & Spotify SoundUp 2018 award. Sangeeta has been featured extensively in the press: BBC Radio, Guardian, Metro, Cosmopolitan, Evening Standard, Stylist, Eastern Eye to Huffington Post.

Sarah is a Birmingham-based podcaster and culture writer, co-hosting the TV podcast Maid for TV which celebrates and interrogates television with a focus on diversity, and Rambling Through Eternity, a Doctor Who deep-dive exploring the show’s classic era. Alongside her podcast work, she regularly writes for Film Stories.

Simona Costantini is the Founder and CEO of VOLT Productions, an award-winning podcast agency producing 20–30 shows weekly across 60+ launches and 4M+ downloads. A multi-year Podfest and Podcast Movement speaker, she helps entrepreneurs launch, grow, and optimize podcasts that build real authority and lasting impact.

Sophia Franklin is the founder of Bear Lane Productions, a boutique video production & content company. With over a decade in broadcast journalism, including roles at BBC Radio Gloucestershire, talkSPORT, talkRadio, Times Radio and Virgin Radio UK, she brings a producer's ear and a broadcaster's instinct to every show she works on. Bear Lane's slate has racked up nearly 2 million streams and clips with a combined reach of 30 million+, alongside a national UK tour and award nominations including a Silver Signal Award. Sophia also shares her take on the podcast industry through her personal brand, Producer Sophia.

Stella is YouTube’s lead for podcasting & news partnerships in the UK. She manages relationships with leading podcast companies, broadcasters & publishers.

I'm a qualified Electrician and now the Assistant Maintenance Manager with Mitie Facilities Management Ltd and co-host of The Stripped Back Podcast. Based in Dublin Ireland, I have built a strong reputation within the trades and podcasting communities in Ireland through authentic conversations that highlight industry issues, apprenticeships, personal development, and inspiring stories. My podcast has gained national recognition at trades awards; it has also earned award nominations at the Irish Podcast Awards within the business and hosting categories. I aim to provide a platform for voices across the construction, facilities management, and business sectors.

Susie Riddell is an actor, voice artist and writer, and one half of the duo behind the multi-award award-winning podcast, Limited Time Only - a mix of chat, comedy sketches & interviews which she co-produces & hosts with Esther Stanford. As a voice artist, Susie has vast experience across audiobooks, computer games, commercials and drama, and will be familiar to listeners of BBC Radio 4’s The Archers - the world’s longest running drama - as the voice of Tracy Horrobin.

Suzi Dale is an award-winning podcast producer.Co- Founder of Story Publishing, she has produced audio for the BBC, National Prison Radio and independent creators. Her podcast The Scars won Gold at the Independent Podcast Awards and the Audio Production Awards and was a nominee at the International Women’s Podcast Awards and ARIA Awards.

Taylor James is the host of The Waffle Shop Podcast and founder of TaylorMade Podcasts. With over five years in the podcasting industry, Taylor has helped create award-winning content, produced five chart-topping podcasts, and brought podcasting to some of the UK's biggest stadiums and live events. Passionate about authentic conversations and powerful storytelling, he works with individuals, brands, and organisations to create podcasts that connect, inspire, and make a lasting impact.

Toby Hicks in an experienced fractional communications consultant, ex BBC, who has worked for a series of large media businesses, not for profits and tech startups. A passionate fan of podcasts and independent media, this is his second year as a judge.

Tom Woolfenden is an award-winning producer making podcasts and audio documentaries for the BBC, The Guardian, The Economist and more.

Founder of MIC, a podcast production and training company for good eggs, and MIC’s Podcast Club, a global community for indie podcasters. Producer, speaker and champion for podcasting that’s a little less podcast bro, a little more people.

Yuxin is a versatile sound professional based in Chicago with a background in music, initially as a pianist with performance experience across Europe and the US. As a Chinese/Asian composer, Yuxin brings a unique cultural perspective to their work, infusing projects with a rich blend of Eastern and Western musical traditions. Yuxin's foray into film in 2018 sparked a passion for audio, leading to deep immersion in film scoring, audio post-production and sound design since 2019. 

Zee is the founder of Raju Sauces, and when not perfecting a recipe, can usually be found with headphones in. A podcast fan since the very early iTunes days, Zee has a soft spot for current affairs, news, tech, history, and investigative journalism, the kind of stories that turn a commute or a quiet evening into something gripping. Zee is excited to bring that curiosity and love of a great story to the table as a judge for the Independent Podcast Awards.

Founder of The Zoder Collective. Career in media helping brands find their voice across strategy and communications. One of The Drum's Top 100 Super Marketers. I love work that's brave enough to be different and keeps audiences coming back.