‘James Shield’s work is as fun and engaging as it is heavy-hitting. Highly diverting and entertaining.’

—UK Audio Production Awards judges

I’m an audio producer and editor in London, specialising in news, current affairs and narrative storytelling.

I was previously the deputy executive producer of The Story, the daily news podcast from The Times and The Sunday Times. I joined as a member of the founding team in 2019, and produced and exec’d hundreds of episodes before leaving in spring 2024.

My work has won three golds at the UK Audio Production Awards (including the award for best news and current affairs producer), two silvers at the ARIAS, and gold at the British Podcast Awards. I’ve appeared on AudioUK’s news and current affairs shortlist every year since 2018.

Before The Times, I was head of audio at the Royal Society of Arts, and produced work for the BBC, Audible, Somethin’ Else, the New Statesman, the New Economics Foundation and a variety of think tanks.

And before that… I had an entirely different career, as a senior health policy analyst and researcher for Macmillan Cancer Support, and as a manager in the NHS.

Occasionally I run training sessions and workshops – I love doing this! I’ve trained producers at Feast Collective in editing and mixing techniques, guest lectured at Goldsmiths, and spoken at workshops for Rise & Shine and the London Podcast Festival.

I studied international relations at St Andrews and grew up in Fife.