Who's In
Over 300 new entries are included in Who’s Who 2023, a selection of which appear here.
Inderveer Singh Hothi
Inderveer Singh Hothi is President of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Scotland for 2022-23. Born in Slough, he is Cultural Adviser to the Mayor of London and Ambassador, One Young World. In his spare time he enjoys gardening, Muay Thai, creative arts and technology.
Yekemi Otaru
Born in Nigeria, Yekemi Otaru started her career as a petroleum engineer. She is now Co-Founder and Chief Growth Officer of business consultancy Doqaru Ltd, as well as Chancellor of the University of the West of Scotland. Her book, The Smart Sceptic’s Guide to Social Media in Organisations, was published in 2016.
David Baddiel
Writer and comedian David Baddiel started his career with stand-up shows and soon branched out into television projects including Fantasy Football League with Frank Skinner. He has authored books for adults and children, including Whatever Love Means, Jews Don’t Count and The Parent Agency.
John Vincent, MBE
Born in Enfield, John Vincent is the Founder and Chief Executive of The Longhouse and previously co-founded Leon Restaurants. He was awarded an MBE in 2015 for services to school food after co-authoring the UK Government’s School Food Plan. In his spare time he enjoys sailing and Wing Tsun.
Ptolemy Dean, OBE
Architect Ptolemy Dean is Surveyor of the Fabric at Westminster Abbey. He established Ptolemy Dean Architects in 2005 and, perhaps unsurprisingly, is a self-confessed compulsive sketcher. His books include Sir John Soane and the Country Estate and Britain’s Buildings, Places and Spaces: the unseen in the every day.
Emerald Fennell
Emerald Fennell began her career as an actress with roles in Call the Midwife, The Danish Girl and as Camilla in The Crown. As a writer and director, her work includes Killing Eve and the film Promising Young Woman, for which she won Academy and BAFTA Awards for best original screenplay.
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 35,000 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 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 whoswho@acblack.com or post it to the Office of Who’s Who, 50 Bedford Square, London WC1B 3DP.
