Tortoise Studios
Tortoise Studios combines journalistic expertise with years of audio experience to deliver the very best narrative storytelling
At Tortoise Studios, we reveal the world through stories.
Our award-winning podcast team is headed up by Ceri Thomas, former editor of BBC Radio 4’s Today programme and Panorama, and Basia Cummings, formerly an international editor at the Guardian and HuffPost.
With a team of experienced reporters, editors and producers, we produce award-winning current affairs shows, and bespoke editorial projects for our partners.
If you’d like to discuss your bespoke audio project
Our regular shows
A weekly investigative podcast, giving voice to what’s driving the news – not breaking news.
A daily current affairs podcast telling one story, every day, to help listeners make sense of the world.
Awards and reviews
Our weekly investigative podcast, the Slow Newscast, launched in autumn 2019 and has been shortlisted for Best Current Affairs Podcast at the British Podcast Awards; and shortlisted for News Podcast of the Year at the Society of Editors Press Awards. It was selected by Spotify as one of their top new podcasts for 2020.
Slow Newscast Apple reviews
Brilliant
“Brilliant way of getting a really good, well researched analysis of what is happening beyond the headlines. Always clearly presented and balanced. And always thought provoking. Thank you so much.”
Exactly what the world needs
“Informed, engaging and carefully prepared pieces that help put the daily news into perspective. Great stuff.”
Outstanding podcast
“I’ve listened to every episode and have yet to be even remotely disappointed. This podcast covers a wide range of subjects to a level of detail that, for me, hits the spot perfectly. I always come away from this podcast feeling better informed and look forward to listening each week. Highly recommended.”
Quality journalism
“I’m hooked. It’s all the great things journalism should be: investigative, informative, entertaining and empowering.”
My Mother’s Murder series
Tortoise’s four part podcast series about the murder of our reporter Paul Caruana Galizia’s mother, Daphne, was number one in Apple’s UK News category when it was released, and was awarded Best Factual Podcast at the Association of International Broadcaster’s Awards.
The Sensemaker
Our daily podcast went straight to the top of Spotify’s trending podcasts on launch, and was soon the 3rd most popular UK news podcast on Spotify.
Our partners
“When our firm could not host our client conference due to the pandemic, Tortoise helped us pivot, seamlessly, to a podcast. Thanks to their expert guidance and superb editing and storytelling skills, our podcast has been a valuable way to connect with our clients and our broader network, and to explore the issues that we believe will drive the future, move capital and influence our investment decisions.”
Dana Cooksey, Partner, Director of Corporate Content, Brown Advisory
To work with us on bespoke audio and branded podcasts
Tortoise Studios Team
Ceri Thomas
Editor
Ceri worked for many years at the BBC, where he was the longest-serving editor of the Today programme and, later, editor of Panorama.
Basia Cummings
Editor
Before Tortoise, Basia was news editor at HuffPost and an international editor at the Guardian.
Gaby Disandolo
Partnerships lead
Gaby has worked in programming, partnerships and account management for the Guardian, Bloomberg, Stylist, Haymarket and AllBright.
Matt Russell
Producer
Matt has worked at the BBC across a range of programmes including Newsnight and Radio 4’s World at One and PM.
Gary Marshall
Producer
Before joining Tortoise, Gary worked in video and audio at the Guardian.
Katie Gunning
Producer
Before joining Tortoise, Katie worked on BBC Radio 4’s daily news podcast, Beyond Today, and was a regular producer on BBC Radio 2’s Jeremy Vine show.
Our journalists
James Harding
James was director of BBC News and before that was editor of the Times newspaper.
Matthew d’Ancona
Former editor of the Spectator, deputy editor at the Sunday Telegraph and award-winning political columnist. Matt’s book Identity, Ignorance and Innovation will be published by Hodder in March.
Claudia Williams
Claudia is a reporter at Tortoise. Previously, she worked at the New York Times and the Week magazine.
David Taylor
David is an editor at Tortoise. He was deputy editor for Guardian US, and before that was head of news and US editor for the Times.
Nimo Omer
Nimo is a reporter and host of the daily Sensemaker podcast. She joined as a graduate from the University of Manchester. She has also worked as a freelance reporter for the Independent, gal-dem and Black Ballad.
Paul Caruana Galizia
Paul is a reporter at Tortoise. He has written about opioids, money laundering, bribery, non-disclosure agreements and his mother Daphne. He won New Journalist of the Year at the 2019 British Journalism Awards.
Ella Hill
Ella writes the daily Sensemaker podcast. Before Tortoise, she worked at the Economist’s 1843 magazine.
Xavier Greenwood
Xavier writes the daily Sensemaker podcast. He joined Tortoise as a graduate from City University and Oxford University.
Imy Harper
Imy writes the daily Sensemaker podcast. She joined Tortoise after completing an MA in Broadcast Journalism at City University.