Ruth Wishart is a journalist and broadcaster who writes a weekly column for the Herald and presents programmes on contemporary ethics for the BBC. She has been an assistant editor of the Sunday Mail, Scotsman and Sunday Standard.

She is a trustee of the National Galleries of Scotland, and of Columba 1400, and chair of the Dewar Arts Awards. Previously she also served as chair of the Centre for Contemporary Arts in Glasgow and Glasgow Common Purpose and was a Governor of the Glasgow School of Art.

An experienced conference chair and facilitator, she is a regular on the Burns Supper circuit. Interests include the arts, sport and politics, especially social policy.