How many magazines can claim to influence how world leaders are picked?

Well, The Spectator certainly can, as one of the oldest and most established UK publications around.

It started life as a collection of magazines in 1711 - over 300 years ago - with early readers including founding father Benjamin Franklin. 

Today, it’s a political stronghold, with past editors including heavyweights Nigel Lawson and Boris Johnson.

The magazine has also ridden the wave of digital evolution over the last decade. That’s prompted its subscriber numbers to boom, alongside its valuation, now valued at a hefty £100 million by some estimates.

How and why has this happened? 

We sat down with its current Editor, Fraser Nelson. 

He tried a few different jobs before settling on journalism, including applying for the RAF and becoming a professional piano player.

When the Barclay brothers purchased the Spectator in 2006, Fraser joined the ranks before becoming editor in 2009.

Perhaps most notably in those 15 years, Fraser has overhauled the magazine’s recruitment process, by making CVs blind. They now allow anyone from any walk of life at any age a chance to apply to its internship scheme. 

This innovative programme has led to remarkable results as we explore on this episode of Jimmy’s Jobs of the Future, recorded in the heart of Westminster at the Spectator magazine HQ. 

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