The Printing Charity is proud to announce that actress, singer, presenter, author, businesswoman, independent producer, philanthropist and politician, Baroness Floella Benjamin, is the charity’s Honorary President for 2026.
She will be keynote speaker at the Annual Luncheon, which in 2026 will be held on Thursday 19th November at Plaisterers’ Hall in the City of London. Baroness Benjamin explained: “As an author, I’m unapologetically passionate about the power of print to share information and inspiration with everyone, and particularly its ability to enable life-long learning. The Printing Charity is here to help people whose work brings this crucial communication channel to life, and I am proud to play a part in supporting the as 2026 Printing Charity President.”
Printing Charity CEO Neil Lovell said: “Throughout her career Baroness Benjamin has worked tirelessly to campaign on issues affecting children, diversity, media and equality, and is a champion for children’s media, including print, and its unique ability to inspire, educate and entertain. She is also a passionate advocate for the ethos of ‘giving back’, and we are grateful that as part of this she has chosen to accept the role of honorary charity president this year. I look forward to hearing her keynote speech at 2026’s Annual Luncheon.”
Baroness Benjamin was appointed a Deputy Lieutenant of Greater London in 2008 and was listed in the 2020 Powerlist as one of the Top 100 most influential people in the UK of African/African-Caribbean descent.
She celebrates 56 years in the entertainment industry, receiving numerous accolades, including a BAFTA Special Lifetime Achievement Award; an OBE in 2001 for services to broadcasting; the Women in Film & Television Lifetime Achievement Award, the ACA-JM Barrie Award for her lasting legacy to children and the BAFTA Fellowship, the highest accolade in the media industry.
She was president of the Elizabeth R Commonwealth Broadcasting Fund and a governor of the National Film and Television School for 17 years, championing their diversity and inclusion policy and was also a member of the OFCOM Content Board.
She has written over 30 books including the bestselling ‘Coming to England’ which is now part of the UK National Curriculum and studied in schools and universities. The 30th anniversary version was awarded a Guardian ‘Children’s Book of the Year’. The picture book version for younger children was published in 2021. Her autobiography ‘What Are You Doing Here?’ won the 2023 Parliamentary Book Award – Best Autobiography by a Parliamentarian.