Graeme Robertson

Photography is not just my profession—it is the core of my life. I think, dream, and live within its creative space. Over the past 30 years, I have received eighteen major photography awards, including British Photographer of the Year, British Young Photographer of the Year, Portrait Photographer of the Year, and the Taylor Wessing Award for my Blind project across India and Africa to list a few. I have had exhibitions in London, NY, Dublin, Edinburgh, Paris and in Africa. My work continues to be published across the globe.

I spent four years covering the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, and later served as The Guardian's Africa correspondent, documenting civil conflicts, famines, and humanitarian crises. My work has also included photographing some of the most recognizable faces in the world to date.

In 2002, I played a direct role in establishing Getty Images in London and the Middle East, where I was responsible for creating individual bureaus and setting up the wire service. I later became a senior photographer at The Guardian, taking on management-level responsibilities that included generating original story ideas, developing workflows, and mentoring colleagues with experience-based guidance including introducing new technology and training.

I was recruited to coordinate the photographic strategy for the relaunch of Berlinerformat newspapers, where photography played a central role. Many of the ideas I introduced remain in use today and have influenced editorial approaches across the UK, including the development of Eyewitness and a new visual storytelling style.

The role you're offering is one I've envisioned myself in from the very beginning of my career. Journalism runs in my family—my father was a newspaper editor for 25 years, my mother a writer, and my uncle a publisher—so this path feels almost instinctive. To call this a dream job would hardly capture how strongly I feel about the opportunity.

The chance to shape a team, nurture emerging photographic talent, and build a creative culture would be both exciting and deeply rewarding. I've spent considerable time researching, exploring opportunities, and speaking with colleagues about taking my experience to the next level. Now, I feel ready to step into that position and contribute with confidence, leadership, energy and vision.

I would bring something you don't already have—someone with a clear sense of what's right, what's acceptable, and what truly elevates the work, combined with a steady temperament that nurtures good practice, creativity, and loyalty. I'm grounded in the old-school values I learned from my very first job in a darkroom, but I've always been energised by new ideas, new technology, and new demands. That blend of tradition and modern thinking allows me to lead with clarity, support a team with confidence, and help create work that genuinely stands out.

The former Guardian editor Alan Rusbridger who I worked closely with for 10 years has written a reference for me and encouraged me to “jump at this opportunity.” The Guardian's support has been incredibly motivating, and it reinforces my belief that this role is the right next step for me to take my experience to a global stage.

• I enjoy restoring classic cars and am currently on my fifth project. It gives me time to think through ideas and tackle a variety of challenges, from technical problems to creative decisions. What I love most is that each restoration has a tangible conclusion—a finished result that reflects all the hard work, patience, and problem-solving put into it.

Alan Rusbridger
Former Editor, The Guardian