SI Leeds Literary Prize Patrons

Meet our SI Leeds Literary Prize Patrons

SI Leeds Literary Prize patrons are influential writers and thinkers with a significant public profile from a wide variety of backgrounds. They are champions for the Prize and its work, and we are grateful for their continued backing and practical support. Watch Bidisha explain why she supports the Prize, and talk about the role the Prize plays in the UK’s cultural ecology.

MONICA ALI

Monica Ali is the author of four books: Brick Lane, Alentejo Blue, In the Kitchen and Untold Story. Selected as one of the “Best of Young British Novelists” for debut novel Brick Lane, the published novel was later adapted into a film of the same name. Read More…

Bidisha

Bidisha is a writer, critic, broadcaster and human rights advocate who has been writing professionally since she was 14 and signed her first book deal at 16. Her focal topic areas are social justice, arts and culture, international affairs and international human rights. Read More…

Carolyn Choa

Carolyn Choa was born and educated in Hong Kong. Graduating from Hull University and London Contemporary Dance School, her talents range across the fields of Production, Choreography and Dance. Read More…

Bernardine Evaristo

Bernardine Evaristo was born in London. She studied at the Rose Bruford College of Speech & Drama and Goldsmith’s where she earned a Doctorate of Philosophy. She currently teaches at Brunel University where she is Professor of Creative Writing. Read More…

Diane Howse

Diane Howse is an artist and curator with extensive experience of developing a wide range of projects across the cultural spectrum. Over the last 25 years, she has been instrumental in developing the strategic cultural policy for Harewood House Trust. Read More…

Margaret Oldroyd

Margaret Oldroyd has been a Soroptimist since 1986, and was the President of the Federation of Great Britain and Ireland (SIGBI) of Soroptimist International 2013 to 2014. SIGBI encompasses both the UK and Ireland and countries much further afield. Read More…

Dreda Say Mitchell

Dreda Say Mitchell is a novelist, broadcaster, journalist and education consultant. She studied at SOAS and then The Institute of Education. She describes her parents’ passion for storytelling as formative; she was “a hardcore bookaholic from an early age”! Read More…

Sue Woodford-Hollick OBE

Sue Woodford-Hollick OBE is a business woman and consultant across broadcasting and the arts. She recently retired after nine years as Chair of Arts Council England – London and is a member of the ACE National Council. Read More…

YASMIN ALIBHAI-BROWN

Yasmin Alibhai-Brown is a journalist and author, born in Uganda. She has written across a vast range of UK newspapers, usually commenting on issues relating to diversity and multiculturalism as well as immigration. Read More…

MARGARET BUSBY, OBE

Margaret Busby OBE (Nana Akua Ackon) is the prize ambassador. Born in Ghana, she was the UK’s youngest (and first black) woman publisher. As well as founding Allison & Busby, she is a writer and editor. Read More…

DIANA EVANS

Diana Evans is the author of the novels 26a, The Wonder
and Ordinary People. She has received nominations for
the Whitbread First Novel, the Guardian First Book and
the Commonwealth Best First Book awards and was the
inaugural winner of the Orange Award for New Writers. Read More…

Bonnie Greer OBE

Bonnie Greer OBE is an American-British playwright, novelist and critic, born in Chicago, who has been resident in the UK since 1986. She is Chancellor of Kingston University, London, as well as sitting on the boards of several leading arts organisations. Read More…

MAYA JAGGI

Maya Jaggi has had a transformative influence on extending the map of contemporary international writing. She is an award-winning cultural journalist, critic and editor who occupies a unique place in British journalism. Read More…

HANNAH POOL

Hannah Pool is a writer, editor, curator, journalist, author and commentator. She writes regularly in the national and international media, and curates talks and debates at Africa Utopia and Women of the World (WOW) festivals at the Southbank Centre, London. Read More…

PIPPA SMALL

Pippa Small is a jeweller who promotes the different, organic, ethnic and ethical. She has worked closely with indigenous, tribal, and traditional crafts persons to develop jewellery lines which echo their traditions and also appeal to a global market. Read More…

KERRY YOUNG

Kerry Young came to England from Jamaica at the age of ten, born to a Chinese father and a mother of mixed Chinese-African heritage. She chaired the 2014 SILeeds Literary Prize and has a history of non-fiction writing and editing on issues relating to youth work. Read More…