Who’s in Who’s Who?

Over eight hundred new names were included in Who's Who 2010, a selection of which appear here.

Bear Grylls

Bear Grylls
Adventurer Edward Grylls, better known as Bear, was born in 1974. His long list of achievements includes ascending Mount Everest, circumnavigating the UK on a jetski and crossing the Arctic Ocean in an open RIB. Married with three sons, he became Chief Scout of the Worldwide Scouting Association in 2009.

David Mitchell

David Mitchell is a comedy actor and writer. A Cambridge graduate, he is the star of the TV sketch show, That Mitchell and Webb Look. In 2008 he won a BAFTA for the Best Comedy Performance for his role in Peep Show. His recreations include walking and talking.

Matthew Brittin

Matthew Brittin was appointed Managing Director of Google UK and Ireland in 2009. A graduate of Cambridge University and the London Business School, he joined Google in 2007 from Trinity Mirror where he was Commercial and Digital Director. Formerly an international rower, his recreations are now 'keeping up with climbing, cycling and swimming sons'.

Jekka McVicar

Jekka McVicar has been an organic herb farmer since 1985. Born in Bristol, she is the President of the West of England Herb Group. An author and radio presenter, she has won 62 Royal Horticultural Society gold medals for her organic herb displays, including 14 at the Chelsea Flower Show.

Julie Myerson

Julie Myerson is a novelist and author. She read English at Bristol University and afterwards worked in the press office of the National Theatre and as a publicist for Walker Books. She has written seven novels and enjoys gardening in her spare time.

Nadhim Zahawi

Baghdad-born Nadhim Zahawi began his career in marketing, having graduated from University College London with a BSc in Chemical Engineering. In 2000, he co-founded YouGov plc, the internet-based research and consulting firm of which he remains Chief Executive. He also served as a Councillor on Wandsworth Borough Council for twelve years.

John Hilary

John Hilary worked for several charitable organisations, including Amnesty International and Save the Children, before joining anti-poverty charity War On Want in 2004, later becoming its Executive Director in 2008. His interests outside of work include cricket and modern art.

Who’s Who contains biographies of all kinds of people from all parts of the world and from all walks of life: the arts, business and finance, the church, the civil service, education, entertainment, sport, government, the law, local government, the media, medicine, professional institutions, science and the trade unions.

Each edition of Who’s Who now contains over 33,000 entries, with approximately one thousand new names appearing for the first time each year.

Uniquely among biographical reference works, entries in Who’s Who are retained for the life of the biographee (being transferred on his or her death to Who Was Who). Who’s Who therefore has an unrivalled historical perspective, listing those who lead and influence the world today, side by side with their living predecessors.

HOW ARE PEOPLE CHOSEN FOR INCLUSION?

An invitation to appear in Who’s Who recognises distinction and influence.

‘What is it that really puts the stamp of eminence on a modern British life? Two things count today: having an entry in Who’s Who and being asked to choose your eight favourite records on BBC’s Desert Island Discs.’ - The Wall Street Journal

The editor of the 1897 edition wrote in his preface that Who’s Who seeks to recognise people whose “prominence is inherited, or depending on office, or the result of ability which singles them out from their fellows”. In essence, this continues to be the policy for selection into Who’s Who today.

The majority of Who’s Who biographees are included in recognition of the distinction they have attained in their professional lives, and the influence they exert on British society, ranging from politicians and academics to musicians and film directors. Whilst the majority of entrants are British, notable individuals from across the world are included due to their presence and importance in British and international life.

The holders of some posts, such as MPs, senior judges and high-ranking civil servants, are invited to have an entry an entry as a matter of course, when the appointment itself is of general public interest. For those who do not fit into these categories, a Selection Board meets regularly during the preparation for each edition of Who’s Who to discuss potential entrants. The Selection Board reviews those people whose professions are less rigidly structured, such as artists, actors and sportsmen, as well as professors, scientists and businesspeople. Prominent figures in numerous fields are considered by the Board on the basis of their continuing achievements, and ultimately selected due to their exceptional pre-eminence. Where necessary, the Selection Board consults those with specialist knowledge.

Who’s Who also includes a comprehensive listing of the holders of UK hereditary titles, from Duke to baronet, who are invited automatically. These entries make up approximately 10% of the total listings.

If you would like to nominate yourself or a colleague for consideration by the Selection Board, please send a brief CV to nominations@ukwhoswho.com or post it to the Office of Who’s Who, 36 Soho Square, London W1D 3QY.