Humanists UK is delighted to welcome three new patrons to the fold: science broadcaster and former professional poker champion Liv Boeree; best-selling author Jane Fallon; and award-winning journalist Matthew d’Ancona.
Liv Boeree is a science broadcaster and former professional poker player. With a first class degree in astrophysics, Liv combined her science background and passion for games to become one of the most recognisable faces in professional poker. Since retiring in 2018, Liv now focuses on education with a knack for translating complex concepts into layman’s terms. She’s presented on major channels including the BBC and Discovery Channel, live-hosted international poker tournaments, delivered hit Ted Talks, and now has her own YouTube channel. Liv is also a keen philanthropist, co-founding Raising for Effective Giving in 2014.
Matthew d’Ancona is an award-winning journalist. His career includes spells as Deputy Editor at the Sunday Telegraph and Editor of the Spectator. He wrote a weekly political column in the Sunday Telegraph for a decade, in which role he was ‘treated as the best insight into Cameronism by Conservative MPs’. He was a weekly columnist at the Guardian for four years and has written columns for the Evening Standard, GQ, and the New York Times. He is now editor and partner of Tortoise Media, a British news website which specialises in open journalism and the delivery of ‘slow news’ as an antidote to clickbait, sensationalism, and a perceived decline in thoughtful journalism in recent years.
Jane Fallon is a former television producer (Eastenders, This Life, Teachers) turned bestselling author. She wrote her first novel Getting Rid of Matthew in 2006, which went on to be selected for the Richard and Judy Book Club and quickly became a national bestseller, selling over 250,000 copies. She’s since published a whopping 10 Sunday Times bestsellers including Foursome, Tell me a Secret, and Queen Bee.
Humanists UK Chief Executive Andrew Copson commented:
‘It’s a great pleasure to bring on board Liv, Jane, and Matthew as patrons of Humanists UK. Between them, they exemplify the diversity and breadth not just of our network of patrons working to promote understanding of humanism among the general public, but also the ways in which humanists continue to advance a tolerant world where rational thinking and kindness prevail across all areas of life.’
Notes
Humanists UK is the national charity working on behalf of non-religious people. Powered by over 100,000 members and supporters, we advance free thinking and promote humanism to create a tolerant society where rational thinking and kindness prevail. We provide ceremonies, pastoral care, education, and support services benefiting over a million people every year and our campaigns advance humanist thinking on ethical issues, human rights, and equal treatment for all.
Humanists UK has over 170 patrons who support its work in various ways through their expertise and prominence in various fields. Existing patrons include significant figures from the spheres of science, philosophy, human rights activism, politics, the arts, and broadcasting. The President of Humanists UK is the anatomist, author, and broadcaster, Professor Alice Roberts. She is supported by Vice Presidents Professor Jim Al-Khalili, Professor AC Grayling, Shappi Khorsandi, and Polly Toynbee.