
Profile
An insight into the character of an influential figure making news headlines
Latest episodes

Mar 28, 2020 • 14min
Hania Rani
On Profile this week - it’s a personal one.In lockdown at home because of the coronavirus, presenter Mark Coles has turned to music to help get him through the past few days…captivated by an album he bought by chance in a London record store a couple of weeks ago. It’s called‘Esja’- the debut album from a little-known 29 year old Polish pianist, Hania Rani.The music is sublime and minimalist…solo acoustic piano inspired in part by the mountains and countryside of Iceland where some of it was recorded.For Mark, it’s become his sanctuary….his headspace - a much needed nightly respite from the cacophony of coronavirus news bulletins and press conferences. But who is the mystery woman behind the music? Producer: Smita Patel Photo of Hania Rani by Kinga Karpati

Mar 21, 2020 • 14min
Andrew Bailey
The Bank of England's new governor started work on Monday amid global turmoil. The world economy is in chaos as a result of the coronavirus pandemic. How will he handle the difficult decisions to come? Edward Stourton profiles Andrew Bailey, from his childhood in Leicester all the way to Threadneedle Street. This is not the first crisis in his long banking career, but it may well be the toughest. Producers: Eleanor Biggs and Rosamund Jones

Mar 14, 2020 • 14min
Professor Chris Whitty
The coronavirus epidemic is a growing crisis for England's chief medical officer. He has faced criticism from journalists, politicians and public health specialists. Mark Coles finds out about the life and career of Professor Chris Whitty. He is a physician, a plague expert and an epidemiologist. But that's just for starters. He has also studied law, economics and business. But how will he cope with a role in the bright political spotlight?
First broadcast on Saturday 14th March 2020.
Producers: Ruth Alexander and Eleanor Biggs.

Mar 7, 2020 • 14min
Priti Patel
The Home Secretary Priti Patel has been accused of bullying civil servants.The Cabinet Office is investigating several allegations about Ms Patel's behaviour, all of which she denies.Sir Philip Rutnam, the Home Office's most senior official, resigned on 29 February, alleging Ms Patel's conduct towards staff included "swearing, belittling people, making unreasonable and repeated demands". Since then, similar allegations have emerged from the Department for Work and Pensions and the Department for International Development.Mark Coles delves into the life and times of the ambitious daughter of Indian newsagents, who wants to follow in the footsteps of Margaret Thatcher.Producer: Ruth Alexander

Feb 29, 2020 • 14min
David Frost
The UK’s chief Brexit negotiator is hardly a household name and until very recently this former diplomat had no public profile at all.
Now David Frost has arguably one of the most challenging jobs in British politics. How has he made it to the top?Presenter: Edward Stourton Producers: Eleanor Biggs, Kate Lamble, Olga Smirnova, and Phoebe Keane

Feb 21, 2020 • 14min
Jurgen Klopp
The manager who's put Liverpool Football Club on the path to winning the treble and has lead them to so many victories, their lead at the top of the table is the biggest in premier league history. But he wasn't always this successful. When he was a young footballer at Mainz 05 in Germany, his former team mate Guido Shafer says he 'had no talent'. So what can we learn from his childhood in Germany's Black Forest? How did he become the manager he is today? Presenter: Becky Milligan
Producers: Phoebe Keane and Eleanor BiggsThanks to BBC 5 Live podcast: At Home With Colin Murray and SWR.

Feb 15, 2020 • 14min
Rishi Sunak
Appointed as Chancellor of the Exchequer within just five years of becoming an MP, Rishi Sunak's rise has been rapid. He was parachuted into a safe seat for the Conservative party during the 2015 election and his trajectory has been skywards ever since. However, he takes office under difficult circumstances, the post only became vacant as former Chancellor Sajid Javid rejected the prime minister's order to fire his team of aides, saying "no self-respecting minister" could accept such a condition. So can Rishi Sunak take the helm and will he stand up to the Prime Minister?

Feb 8, 2020 • 14min
Waad al-Kateab
The citizen journalist behind the highly acclaimed film 'For Sama', which tells the story of life, love and motherhood in war-torn Aleppo.Already the winner of 25 awards, including a BAFTA, the documentary is now in the running for an Oscar. Mark Coles reveals the extraordinary life of the Syrian student compelled to capture the daily lives of citizens trapped in the terror of civil war. Producers: Phoebe Keane & Diane Richardson

Feb 1, 2020 • 14min
Mike Pompeo
The US Secretary of State caught up in the Ukraine impeachment scandal.Mike Pompeo has a lot on his plate. He’s at the centre of the impeachment investigation into US President Donald Trump, who’s accused of breaking the law by pressuring Ukraine's president to dig up damaging information on a political rival. He’s pressuring the UK government to look again at its decision to give Chinese company Huawei a role in its 5G mobile phone network. And he’s facing criticism for refusing an extradition request relating to the death of British teenager Harry Dunn. In the week Mike Pompeo visits both the UK and Ukraine, Edward Stourton investigates the life and record of America’s top diplomat.Producers: Simon Maybin & Diane Richardson
Editor: Penny Murphy

Jan 25, 2020 • 14min
Sheku Kanneh-Mason
The young, black cellist from Nottingham making chart history.Sheku Kanneh-Mason was the first ever black winner of the BBC’s Young Musician of the Year. He performed with the eyes of the world looking on at Prince Harry and Meghan Markle’s wedding. And now he's become the first ever cellist to reach the UK’s top 10 album chart. Who is the 20-year-old making classical accessible? Mark Coles finds out from those who know him best.Producers: Simon Maybin & Diane Richardson
Editor: Penny Murphy
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