Deepa Shah

Head of Speeches and Editorial Unit, Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities

Having started out with English as my second language, as far as I’m aware, I’m the only ethnic minority woman currently working as a speechwriter at a senior level in Government. In this time, I’ve written for over 40 ministers, including Rishi Sunak, Liz Truss, Michael Gove and Sajid Javid.
Before joining the Civil Service, I was a journalist covering everything from 9/11 to Hollywood film premieres at a wide range of national newspapers, magazines and broadcasters, with roles including Commissioning Editor at The Times, news reporter at the Evening Standard and broadcast journalist at ITV London news.
It’s been quite a journey from suburban Kingsbury to the corridors of powers via many fun, frenetic, no-day-is-ever-the-same newsrooms, and I have learned a lot.
When anyone asked me what I wanted to do when I grew up, I said I wanted to write, tell stories, meet interesting people and have interesting experiences. I still can’t believe that’s what I get to do and get paid for it!