Dr Mark Vernon is a writer, broadcaster and journalist. He began his professional life as a priest in the Church of England: it may not seem an obvious step from there to journalism but writing a sermon is remarkably similarly to writing a feature; and speaking to parishioners is remarkably like talking to a microphone.

His academic interests led him from physics to philosophy via theology. Michel Foucault introduced him to the ancient Greeks on friendship; he thinks that Plato has it just about right on that one at least.

As well as The Philosophy of Friendship, he is author of Business: the Key Concepts. 

Science, Religion and the Meaning of Life will be published later in 2006.

He went freelance 10 years ago following the publication of an article in the Independent newspaper on supermarket loyalty cards - then a very new idea - and now writes regularly for the Guardian, The Philosophers' Magazine, TLS, Financial Times and New Statesman, alongside a range of business titles, notably Management Today. He also broadcasts, notably on BBC Radio 4's In Our Time.

He is an Honorary Research Fellow at Birkbeck College, University of London.

'He's never gonna be modelling for any L'Oreal ads but in a world too often peopled by mind-numbingly boring journeymen, Vernon is a one-off. A doctor of philosophy who understands the tech business world and writes books about friendship has got to be worth listening to.' Matthew Gwyther, Editor, Management Today

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