Judges
Explore the 2022 Wainwright
prize judging panels
The UK Nature Writing Prize judging panel will be chaired by TV presenter Ray Mears. BBC Countryfile presenter; Charlotte Smith is the Chair of Judges for the Global Conservation Prize and former CBeebies TV presenter, Gemma Hunt chairs the new Children’s Prize.
Nature Writing
Judging Chair
Ray Mears
Ray Mears has become recognised throughout the world as an authority on the subject of Bushcraft and Survival. He has also become a household name through his various television series, including Tracks, World of Survival, Trips Money Can’t Buy with Ewan McGregor, The Real Heroes of Telemark and many more. It is obvious to some, and a surprise to others to discover that Ray has spent his life learning these skills and is truly a master of the subject he calls Wilderness Bushcraft. He can currently be seen on ITV doing a Wild China series.
The Panel
Nature Writing
Sanjida O’Connell
TV presenter and author
Nature Writing
Raynor Winn
Twice-shortlisted author
Nature Writing
Caroline Morris
Bookseller
Nature Writing
Craig Bennett
CEO UK Wildlife Trusts
Nature Writing
Hugh Thomson
Author and previous winner
Nature Writing
Ray Mears
TV Presenter & Author
Writing on Conservation
Judging Chair
Charlotte Smith
Charlotte Smith is a freelance broadcaster, writer and conference host – she presents BBC Radio 4’s Farming Today and has been a Countryfile presenter for more than two decades.
The Panel
Writing on Conservation
Harry Skeggs
Wildlife photographer and blogger
Writing on Conservation
Sir John Lawton
Leading Environmentalist
Writing on Conservation
Lizzie Carr
Children’s ECO blogger
Writing on Conservation
Mark Cropper
Chairman of James Cropper - Sustainable Paper Manufacturer
Writing on Conservation
Anita Longley
Former Chair of the Institute of Corporate Responsibility and Sustainability
Writing on Conservation
Charlotte Smith
Broadcast Presenter & Global Conservation Judging Chair
Children's Writing on Nature and Global Conservation
Judging Chair
Gemma Hunt
Gemma has been working in TV since 2003 when she graduated with her First Class Media Performance Degree from The University of Bedfordshire. Having met an agent through a careers day at the University, Gemma’s showreel was sent to CBBC who met her for an interview, invited her for a screen test and then offered her a contract with CBBC, all before she had graduated. Gemma also runs workshops in presenting skills and enjoys working with children, leading storytelling sessions and birthday parties. In 2017 Gemma was hugely honoured to be nominated in the “Presenter” category at the Children’s BAFTA’S.
Gemma has also just published her first children’s book, ‘A Good Friend’.
The Panel
Children's Writing on Nature and Global Conservation
Charlotte Morley
Ethical Children's Clothes Entrepreneur
Children's Writing on Nature and Global Conservation
Sarah Davis
Librarian
Children's Writing on Nature and Global Conservation
Tamara Macfarlane
Bookseller and author
Children's Writing on Nature and Global Conservation
John McClay
Childrens' Literary Festival Director
Children's Writing on Nature and Global Conservation
Gemma Hunt
TV Presenter
