John Bowers

John Bowers KC is Principal of Brasenose College, Oxford, a leading barrister at Littleton Chambers, and a part-time judge. He has practised at the Bar for more than 45 years, specialising in employment, discrimination and human rights law, and is widely regarded as one of the UK's foremost authorities in the field. He was appointed Queen's Counsel in 1998, named Chambers & Partners Employment Silk of the Year in 2010, and has been described in the legal press as "an employment law rock star". He sits as a Deputy High Court Judge and as a Recorder on the South Eastern Circuit, and is a Bencher of Middle Temple.

John is the author of fifteen books, including the leading practitioner text Bowers on Employment Law, now in its eighth edition, alongside influential works on The Law of Industrial Action and Trade Union Recognition and Whistleblowing. His most recent book, Downward Spiral: Collapsing Public Standards and How to Restore Them (Manchester University Press, 2024), draws on interviews with political insiders to examine the decline of ethical standards in UK government and sets out concrete proposals for a more transparent and accountable system. The book has been the focus of his recent appearances at literary festivals including Cheltenham, Tunbridge Wells and Lincoln, and on legal and current-affairs podcasts.

A frequent media commentator on strike law, discrimination and workplace rights, John combines deep technical expertise with an accessible, lighthearted delivery and a strong sense of humour, making complex legal and governance issues engaging for academic, corporate, public-sector and general audiences alike. He speaks regularly to senior executive, professional and student audiences, and is equally at home delivering keynotes, panel contributions, after-dinner addresses and roundtable discussions.

His speaking topics include:

- employment law and the future of the workplace;
- discrimination, equality and human rights at work;
- strike law and trade union recognition;
- whistleblowing and corporate accountability;
- standards in public life and ethics in government; and
- regulation and governance.