The Printing Charity has announced that Baroness Floella Benjamin OM, DBE, DL will serve as its honorary president for 2026.
Baroness Benjamin will also be the keynote speaker at the charity’s Annual Luncheon, which will take place on Thursday 19 November 2026 at Plaisterers’ Hall in the City of London.
A well-known figure across broadcasting, publishing, and public life, Baroness Floella Benjamin brings more than five decades of experience in the creative industries, alongside a long-standing commitment to education, diversity, and children’s media. She is perhaps most fondly remembered as a presenter of Play Away and Play School in the 70s and 80s. The Printing Charity said her appointment reflects the organisation’s focus on the social and cultural value of print, as well as its role in supporting the people who work across the printing and graphic arts sectors.
“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,” Baroness Benjamin said. “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 them as 2026 Printing Charity President.”
Neil Lovell, CEO of The Printing Charity, highlighted Baroness Benjamin’s advocacy work alongside her creative career. “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,” he said. “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.”
Baroness Benjamin was appointed a deputy lieutenant of Greater London in 2008 and was named in the 2020 Powerlist as one of the UK’s 100 most influential people of African and African-Caribbean descent. She marks 56 years in the entertainment industry and has received numerous honours, 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, and the BAFTA Fellowship.
Alongside her broadcasting career, she has written more than 30 books. Her bestselling Coming to England is now part of the UK National Curriculum, while her autobiography, What Are You Doing Here?, won the 2023 Parliamentary Book Award for Best Autobiography by a Parliamentarian.
