Profile

He’s the former corporate lawyer, who has a pilot's licence and loves music, but has never before been a government minister.Friedrich Merz was born in the west German town of Brilon in 1955 into a prominent conservative, Catholic family. He joined the Christian Democratic Union (CDU) while still at school, before going on to study law.Merz then worked as a lawyer and judge for a few years, but he always had his eye on politics.He was elected to the European Parliament in 1989, and his journey to the top has been a winding one.Sidelined by Angela Merkel before she became chancellor, he quit parliament entirely to pursue a lucrative series of corporate jobs and was written off as yesterday's man.But with the CDU topping the ballot in Germany's elections earlier this year, he is now on the brink of clinching the job he has coveted for so long. In a programme originally broadcast last month in the aftermath of Merz's election victory, when the prospect of a CDU coalition with the far-right AFD - now off the cards - was still a possibility, and Donald Trump's fiery meeting with President Zelensky was fresh in everyone's memory, Stephen Smith set out to find out how Merz bounced back.Production Team Presenter: Stephen Smith Producers: Arlene Gregorius, Caroline Bayley, Chloe Scannapieco Editor: Ben Mundy Sound: Neil Churchill Production Co-ordinators: Maria Ogundele, Janet StaplesCredits Audio of Friedrich Merz at the Munich Security Conference by Bayerischer Rundfunk Audio of swearing-in ceremony of Angela Merkel, 2005, by ZDF Audio of French President Macron at the White House courtesy of the White House

His 14 year-stint at the top of European politics has earned him a distinguished record of domestic and international achievements.Mark Rutte, born in The Hague in 1967, embarked on a career in business after leaving university and held several positions at Unilever.His career in Dutch politics started in 2002, and four years later – as leader of the VVD party – he became prime minister.During his tenure, he steered the Netherlands through times of significant national and global upheaval. From economic crisis, to the coronavirus pandemic.And now, as the North Atlantic Treaty Organization’s 14th Secretary General, he faces his next challenge – leading Europe’s response to recent Russia-US talks over Ukraine.Mark Coles takes a closer look at Mark Rutte.Production Team Presenter: Mark Coles Producers: Sally Abrahams, Mantej Deol, Chloe Scannapieco Editor: Ben Mundy Sound: Neil Churchill Production Co-ordinator: Maria OgundeleCredits Joint press conference by NATO Secretary General, Mark Rutte with the President of Slovakia, Peter Pellegrini, 20 Feb. 2025 Mark Rutte cycles away from his office, on his last day as Prime Minister of the Netherlands, tv47 Yes Minister, BBC TV, Comedy Greats

Having helped mastermind Labour's renewal in the 1980s and 1990s, one of British politics best-known figures has just embarked on his latest role.And, it's a long way from Hartlepool, in the post-industrial North-East of England, where he first became an MP. Born in 1953, Peter Mandelson started on the road to party politics as a researcher at the Trades Union Congress. After a stint as a TV producer, he left to take up the role of Labour's director of communications, but his real ambition was a place in Parliament.Even his sternest critics accept he is a slick political operator and a good networker, but he’s a controversial figure – with a big challenge ahead. Stephen Smith takes a closer look at the UK’s new ambassador to the US, and the man once dubbed the "Prince of Darkness".Production Team Presenter: Stephen Smith Producers: Sally Abrahams, Mantej Deol, Marianna Brain, Chloe Scannapieco Editor: Ben Mundy Sound: James Beard Production Co-ordinators: Maria Ogundele and Jack YoungCredits London Weekend Television station ident 1970s Jon Culshaw, Imposter Syndrome UK tour

Discover the extraordinary journey of Alexander Lukashenko, who rose from humble beginnings as a pig farmer to become Europe's last dictator. Explore the political turmoil in Belarus, including the controversial elections and rampant public dissent. Hear insights from opposition leaders and experts on the challenges facing the nation. The tension between Lukashenko's authoritarian rule and the desire for democracy in Belarus paints a vivid picture of resistance and repression.

A mathematician and cyber defence expert, Poppy Gustafsson has been handed an integral role within government, as the prime minister attempts to grow the economy and attract international investment.She was born in 1982, to parents John and Gilly. Her father ran an agricultural sales business, while her mother was a journalist.In her early career, Poppy Gustafsson worked for a venture capital firm before co-founding Darktrace, a cybersecurity company, in 2013. She would go on to take the role of co-CEO in 2016 and became the sole CEO in 2020.Darktrace was among the first companies in its field to use artificial intelligence (AI) or machine learning to improve cyber-security.So, as ministers attend the World Economic Forum in Davos, what tricks does this one time CEO of the Year have in store? Mark Coles has been taking a closer look.Production Team Presenter: Mark Coles Producers: Sally Abrahams and Bethan Ashmead Latham Editor: Ben Mundy Sound: James Beard Production Co-ordinators: Maria Ogundele and Jack Young

She is the renowned scientist who studied environmental engineering, and went on to hold the role of mayor of Mexico City during the Coronavirus pandemic.Late last year, Claudia Sheinbaum made further history. "For the first time in the 200 years of the [Mexican] Republic, I will become the first woman president of Mexico," she said before taking office.Born in 1962, Claudia Sheinbaum’s father was a chemical engineer and her mother, a biology professor. Both parents descended from Jewish immigrants from Europe who settled in North America.She’s enjoyed remarkably high poll ratings since taking office, but critics suggest she will live under her mentor’s shadow, and her biggest test is yet to come. As Donald Trump gets ready to enter the White House for a second time, Claudia Sheinbaum has already had to respond to his suggestion to rename the Gulf of Mexico to Gulf of America.So what lies ahead? Stephen Smith has been talking to her friends, colleagues and peers to find out more about Mexico’s history-maker.Production Team Presenter: Stephen Smith Producers: Sally Abrahams and Bethan Ashmead Latham Editor: Ben Mundy Sound: Neil Churchill Production Co-ordinator: Maria Ogundele and Jack Young Credits Emilia Perez, Trailer Director, Jacques Audiard; Production companies: Why Not Productions, Page 114, Pathe, France 2 Cinema, Saint Laurent Productions"Claudia: El Documental", Director: Rodrigo Imaz; @ClaudiaSheinbaumP https://youtu.be/NDuUL-RQvMUThe Nobel Peace Prize, 2007, Nobelprize.org

He's been described as the best connected man in the business world. Allan Leighton’s the arch-moderniser who's led some of the UK's most well-known companies. His career started at Mars Confectionery in the mid-70s, working his way up through the business over nearly two decades. But, it was in the 90s that Allan Leighton really made his name.He moved to Asda in 1992, becoming Chief Executive four years later. There he was credited with a successful turnaround of the supermarket and oversaw its acquisition by Wal-Mart in 1999.By the 2000s, Allan Leighton had left Asda to 'go plural', as he put it, and went on to take prominent positions in companies including Royal Mail, Co-Op, Dyson and lastminute.com. But late last year, the supermarket chain came calling again.Mark Coles has been talking to his friends and peers to understand where Allan Leighton came from and what’s in store for him at Asda.Production Team Presenter: Mark Coles Producers: Nathan Gower and Sally Abrahams Editor: Ben Mundy Sound: James Beard Production Co-ordinators: Maria Ogundele and Jack YoungCredits: Marketing Academy: Rene Carayol interviews Allan Leighton Mars Maltesters, TV advert 1970s Walmart Rollback TV advert 1998 Asda Rollback TV advert

Thomas Tuchel, one of the world's top football coaches, shares insights from his impressive career leading teams like PSG and Chelsea. He discusses his coaching evolution, driven by a competitive spirit and innovative tactics. Tuchel opens up about the challenges of managing star players and the expectations as he takes on the England national team. His charming yet divisive nature adds depth to his leadership style, as he reflects on overcoming setbacks and embracing new opportunities in the world of football.

Ruth Jones, an acclaimed actor, comedian, and writer from Bridgend, is known for her role as Nessa in the beloved sitcom Gavin & Stacey. In this engaging conversation, she reminisces about her childhood musical adventures and the deep-rooted family love for performance. Ruth shares the evolution of her friendship with James Corden and how it sparked their collaborative success. She also expresses her delight in returning to musical theater, relishing the thrill of classics like Sweeney Todd, and reflects on her multifaceted career in comedy and writing.

Since it was privatised over a decade ago, there's been speculation around the future of the UK's troubled postal service, Royal Mail.Now the government has approved its purchase by the Czech billionaire, Daniel Křetínský, a relative unknown here in the UK.Born in communist Czechoslovakia in 1975, Křetínský was a teenager when the Berlin Wall came down. He started his career as a lawyer, but after taking a job in an investment firm soon acquired a reputation as a financial prodigy. He went on to make his fortune in energy investments, but has since expanded to become a big player in the media scene, as well as buying stakes in businesses in Western Europe, especially France and the UK.In this episode of Profile, Stephen Smith finds out more about the man who's set to take on the challenge of turning around a once cherished national institution.Production Team Presenter: Stephen Smith Producers: Nathan Gower and Ben Cooper Editor: Sarah Wadeson Sound: John Scott Production Co-ordinator: Maria OgundeleCredits Canal+