Rachel Sylvester
Rachel Sylvester | |
|---|---|
| Born | November 13, 1969 |
| Occupation | Political journalist |
| Years active | 1992–present |
| Known for | Political editor at The Observer; columnist and interviewer at The Times |
Rachel Mynfreda Sylvester (born 13 November 1969) is a distinguished British political journalist. Previously contributing to The Times, she currently holds the position of political editor at The Observer.[1]
Education and career
Sylvester received her education at South Hampstead High School followed by Somerville College, Oxford.[2]
Her journalism career commenced in 1992 at The Daily Telegraph. In 1998, she transitioned to become political editor of the Independent on Sunday for a one-year tenure. She then returned to the Telegraph in 1999, serving as assistant editor (politics) until 2008.[2]
In June 2008, Sylvester joined the team at The Times, where she authored a weekly political column and conducted interviews, frequently collaborating with Alice Thomson.Cite error: The opening <ref> tag is malformed or has a bad name Her work earned her the Political Journalist of the Year award at the 2015 British Press Awards.Cite error: The opening <ref> tag is malformed or has a bad name Iain Martin praised Sylvester and Thomson as "exceptionally adept interviewers [with] an ability to encourage subjects to reveal significant insights."[3]
During the 2016 Conservative leadership contest, Sylvester’s interview with candidate Andrea Leadsom played a pivotal role in Leadsom's decision to withdraw, reinforcing Sylvester's reputation as a prominent political analyst.Cite error: The opening <ref> tag is malformed or has a bad name That same year, she was honored as Journalist of the Year by the Political Studies Association.[4]
Starting in July 2020, Sylvester co-hosted the interview program Past Imperfect on Times Radio alongside Alice Thomson, featuring notable figures including Tony Blair and Sir Paul Nurse.Cite error: The opening <ref> tag is malformed or has a bad name
Following The Observer’s acquisition by Tortoise Media in April 2025, Sylvester was appointed its political editor.[1]
External links
Audio clips
- Woman's Hour 15 April 2010
- Woman's Hour 19 November 2009
- Woman's Hour 23 April 2009
- Woman's Hour 29 June 2007
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