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Gavin Esler is the author of five novels, including Loyalties, Deep Blue, The Blood Brother, A Scandalous Man, and Power Play. His first non-fiction book, The United States of Anger, foresaw the political unrest and dissatisfaction in the United States that contributed to the rise of the Trump presidency.

His latest non-fiction work, Lessons from the Top, draws on interviews and conversations with prominent global leaders such as Bill Clinton, Angela Merkel, King Abdullah II of Jordan, Tony Blair, and Margaret Thatcher. The book also features insights from influential figures in business, the military, and popular culture, including Dolly Parton and Angelina Jolie. It explores how effective leaders use storytelling to inspire, persuade, and enact change while building trust in an uncertain world.

Gavin is also a columnist for The National, an English-language newspaper based in the UAE with an international readership.

Gavin has also delivered the Magnusson Lecture, focusing on how institutions and individuals can build and rebuild trust. He has since spoken on these themes to various audiences, including senior military officers, financial consultants, legal professionals, public officials, politicians, and corporate leaders.

TV Credits

Gavin is widely recognised for his work with the BBC, where he presented programmes such as Dateline London, The Film Review, and Hardtalk.

He served as the BBC’s Chief North American correspondent for eight years, reporting from Washington and covering stories worldwide, including in China, Peru, Argentina, Cuba, Brazil, Russia, Jordan, Iran, Saudi Arabia, and the Aleutian Islands, as well as throughout Europe.

After returning to the UK from his North America posting, Gavin joined the presenting team on the BBC’s flagship news programme, Newsnight.