Meet The Team
Here is the Total Politics team. It's a mixed bunch from across the political spectrum. Currently we're too busy to argue politics - the most heated we get is over whose turn it is to make the tea.
Saraha Mackinlay
Sarah Mackinlay (Editor)
Before training as a journalist Sarah worked for a political communications consultancy where she was responsible for developing campaign messages and techniques for Labour politicians at all levels including MPs, MEPs and members of the cabinet. Her last role, before joining Total Politics, as deputy editor of Payroll World saw her interview a number of leading politicians, from shadow chancellor George Osborne to the treasurer of the Labour party and the deputy general secretary of Unite, Jack Dromey.
Iain Dale (Publisher)
Iain is best known as one of Britain's leading political bloggers and political commentators. He was part of a team which launched the first political internet television station 18 Doughty Street where he presented several of its shows. He also ran Politico's bookstore and Politico's Publishing and is the author or editor of more than twenty books. Total Politics is Iain's brainchild and he hopes that the magazine will do for politics what GQ has done for men's fashion.
Shane Greer (Executive Editor)
Before Total Politics Shane was executive director of the Young Britons' Foundation, a not for profit organisation that trains young conservatives in political technology where he was tasked with developing the organisations brand and building its fundraising. He was also a regular face at 18 Doughty Street presenting shows such as Vox Politics and One to One. Shane also writes his own blog.
John Simmons (Resources Director)
Following a successful career in sales and marketing, John joined forces with Iain Dale to create the unique Westminster Bookstore Politico's. With the success of Politico's John & Iain moved forward to develop their own Political Publishing House. By John's own admission, Politics is not his chosen subject, however commercial matters certainly are.
Malcolm Dunn (Advertising Director)
Malcolm was Advertising Director for the financial title MoneyWise before starting at Total Politics. Prior to this he worked in sales for a number of national publications including The Times, The Mail on Sunday and The Mirror Group.
Ben Duckworth (Political Editor)
Ben started out in journalism on the financial title Hedge Fund Manager Week, as report editor. Before joining the Total Politics team he was web editor on the newly launched Politics Home where he was instrumental in developing the website, preparing it for launch and leading the editorial team as they prepared to go live.
Gavin Whenman (Production Assistant)
Gavin is completing a master's degree in Public International Law, following which he will join Total Politics as a full time member of staff. He is a writer and is also standing as the Lib Dem candidate in the forthcoming local elections. He is the author of the blog 'Gavin's Gaily Gigest'.
John Spence (Editorial Assistant)
John obtained a First in BA (Hons) Broadcasting Studies from Leeds in 2003 before working in TV for two years. Following six months working in the Co-operative Group Parliamentary Office as a Parliamentary Researcher he returned to Leeds in 2006 to study for an MA in Political Communication, graduating with a Distinction in late 2007.
Emily Sutton (Editorial Assistant)
Emily recently graduated from Keele University with a BA in Politics. Following her graduation she lived in Tanzania and worked as a marine research assistant on a conservation project collecting data which was used to advise its government on how to improve the environment and protect its wildlife.