Ed Talks

S2 Ep17: Nisha Pillai: a career as an investigative journalist and rolling BBC News anchor

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Episode notes

Nisha Pillai (1979) is a former BBC News presenter with over 20 years experience, including being a rolling news anchor for BBC World News as well as an investigative journalist for Panorama and The Money Programme. However, this wasn't the path that she set out on after leaving KEHS as a degree from LSE led to a short career within merchant banking before she realised that this wasn't her passion and became a financial journalist, the path that eventually led her to the news desk.

In this conversation, Nisha talks about her career as an investigative journalist and in particular, one story that she was at the forefront of - the Robert Maxwell case. She also talks about her career as a news anchor, and what it's like to be on screen when breaking news comes in - she was on air on 9/11, and had to both simultaneously process her emotions as a human being witnessing one of the most tragic events in our history whilst also being the calm and collected face of the BBC.

She also talks briefly about the BBC as an organisation, and how she is proud of its history of impartiality. At the moment it feels as if the BBC is being attacked from all sides - and Nisha argues that this is exactly where the BBC should be.

Nisha has now pivoted in her career again, and loves her life as a conference host, motivational speaker, and coach - you can find out more about Nisha on her website, www.nishapillai.com

This podcast is produced by Ben Anderson for Sound Rebel. Talk to us about producing a podcast for you - please email [email protected].

The views expressed in this podcast are those of the speakers themselves and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of our schools, their employees or constituents.