Britain's Most Powerful Woman...

Nicola Sturgeon unsurprisingly took the top spot on Women's Hour's Power List, unveiled yesterday, but she was joined by a few perhaps less obvious choices in the top 10. 

Although Angelina Jolie - appearing at number three thanks to the influence she has had on thousands of women's health after speaking opening about her elective double mastectomy - and Caitlyn Jenner, the first transgender woman to appear on the list, are recognisable to many, the rest of the list represent the hidden power behind the scenes of many industries. Katharine Viner, the first female editor of the Guardian in its 194-year history, was called "one of the most influential women in the English speaking world" by the judging panel, while Camilla Cavendish, director of the Downing Street policy unit, was referred to as "effectively the prime minster" by Daily Mail columnist Sarah Vine, who was part of the panel (and is presumably acquainted with such matters, as the wife of justice secretary Michael Gove). The rest of the panel included human-rights lawyer Helena Kennedy QC, Radio 1 presenter Gemma Cairney, journalist Emma Barnett, and Whistles chief executive Jane Shepherdson. Even Sia - the singer and producer responsible for writing hits including Rihanna's Diamonds, Britney Spears's Perfume, and Beyoncé's Pretty Hurts - is generally hidden from the cameras, wearing an oversized wig and sometimes performing with her back to the audience. Sturgeon, for one, isn't hiding. Accepting the award yesterday in a live broadcast of the show, she noted gleefully that the tabloid assertion that she was "the most dangerous woman in Britain" was "the nicest thing the Daily Mail has ever said about me".

Credit to Vogue.