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

Jul 21, 2018 • 14min
Jacob Collier
The vocalist, multi-instrumentalist and YouTube star Jacob Collier has some very famous fans. Music industry titan Quincy Jones described him as an absolute genius and asked to work with him.But Jacob declined his invitation and suggested instead if they could just be friends. He wanted to make his first album on his own terms. The gamble paid off as he went on to win two Grammy awards. And now, at just 23 years old, he is performing his own Prom at the Royal Albert Hall. Presenter: Mark Coles
Producers: Ben Crighton and Clare Spencer.

Jul 14, 2018 • 14min
Dominic Raab
Dominic Raab has been thrust into the key government role of Brexit secretary following the resignation David Davis.The 44-year-old was tipped for high office from the moment he was elected to the safe Conservative seat of Esher and Walton in 2010.His rise through the ministerial ranks has not been without controversy, with Theresa May accusing him of fuelling gender warfare by describing some feminists as "obnoxious bigots". With just months to go to broker a deal with EU negotiators, not to mention steering Brexit through a divided Commons, the amateur boxer and karate black belt has got a real fight on his hands.Presenter: Mark Coles
Producers: Ben Crighton, Clare Spencer.

Jun 30, 2018 • 14min
Matteo Salvini
Since Matteo Salvini was sworn in as Italy's Interior Minister, his controversial stance on immigration, Roma people and the European Union has made the headlines. The press have dubbed him the European Donald Trump and commentators say he could pose a threat to the existence of the European Union as we know it.This week he was in the news again, for refusing to allow another migrant rescue ship to dock in Italy and for his radical proposals to crack down on migration. But his perfect day would be a much quieter one, in the Italian mountains with his TV host partner and a fishing rod in hand.Presenter: Helen Grady
Producer: Clare Spencer
Researchers: Bethan Head and Francesca Marchese
Editor: Emma Rippon.

Jun 23, 2018 • 14min
Dominic Grieve
Labelled 'the rebel who forgot to rebel', who is Dominic Grieve? Some political commentators thought the Conservative MP, and former Attorney General, could inflict a significant parliamentary defeat on the government. He wanted the Commons to have more of a say over the final outcome of Brexit negotiations. But he called off his own rebellion on Wednesday.Grieve was called the modern day grand old Duke of York - accused of marching the troops to the top of the hill, only to march them down again.His wife Caroline tells Mark Coles he has been misunderstood, and describes how he agonised over this week's vote. She also outlines some of the quirkier aspects of her husband's character. Producer: Smita Patel and Clare Spencer
Researcher: Bethan Head
Editor: Penny Murphy.

Jun 16, 2018 • 14min
Gareth Southgate
Footballer Gareth Southgate's career has been haunted by a decisive penalty he missed against Germany in the semi-final of Euro '96. Even when he went on honeymoon to Bali a Buddhist monk reminded him of that miss. Now he has a chance to make amends - this time as England manager at the 2018 World Cup in Russia.His path to the top job has not followed the conventional route, being sacked from his only other management role. But commentators say he has the attributes of a great leader. Presenter: Mark Coles
Producers: Smita Patel and Clare Spencer
Editor: Emma Rippon.

Jun 9, 2018 • 14min
George Soros
Characterised as both a benevolent philanthropist and as a meddling influence, George Soros has been present at some of the most defining moments in modern history.Soros was born into a Hungarian Jewish family, and later took on a false identity to survive the Nazi occupation in 1944. It was an experience that shaped his life and his outlook and he went on to escape to the West via his knowledge of the international language Esperanto.Beginning his career as a tobacco salesman, Soros went on to fund one of the most successful hedge funds in US history. Known for his high risk and brazen approach, he is infamous for his involvement in the devaluation of the British pound, known as Black Wednesday. But his career as a financial investor was not limited to the markets - he went on to use his money to promote non-violent democratisation in Central and Eastern Europe and beyond. More recently he has proved a controversial figure, providing funding for the pro-Remain campaign in the UK Brexit debate and is now the subject of vilification by the leaders of his native Hungary. Presenter: Ed StourtonProducer: Clare Spencer and Serena Tarling.

Jun 2, 2018 • 14min
Mary Lou McDonald
The leader of Sinn Féin, Mary Lou McDonald has been a face of the campaign to scrap a ban on abortions. In a referendum, voters in the Republic of Ireland voted overwhelmingly to overturn the abortion ban.The campaign also increased the profile of Ms McDonald who took over as the leader of Sinn Féin in February.Her personal story is very different from other leading Sinn Féin politicians.Growing up in a middle class suburb of Dublin - a world away from the tough areas of Northern Ireland most Sinn Féin leaders knew during the years of the Troubles - insiders asked whether her untypical background would work for or against her. Presenter: Ed Stourton
Producers: Estelle Doyle, Clare Spencer.

May 26, 2018 • 14min
Giuseppe Conte
Few Italians had heard of Giuseppe Conte when they found out he would most probably become their new prime minister.President Sergio Mattarella approved his nomination as prime minister after a deadlock which had seen Italy without a government for 11 weeks.The surprise candidate is a law professor in Florence and has no political experience. Even people close to him said he had never mentioned politics.In the first few days of new-found fame he was accused of embellishing his CV, which he denied.But as PM he could now become a key player influencing the future of the European Union. Presenter: Mark ColesProducers: Estelle Doyle, Clare SpencerEditor: Emma Rippon.

May 19, 2018 • 14min
Donald Glover
You may know him as Childish Gambino, the creator of viral video hit 'This is America' or as the Emmy award winning actor and director of comedy drama Atlanta. Mark Coles profiles Donald Glover, the multi-talented American comedian, record producer, songwriter, rapper and DJ who is forcing the world to confront racism, violence and societies contradictions. Presenter: Mark Coles
Producers: Estelle Doyle and Diane Richardson
Editor: Emma Rippon.

May 12, 2018 • 14min
Gina Haspel
Donald Trump's choice for CIA director, Gina Haspel. Mark Coles profiles the controversial figure whose nomination has forced her out of the shadows to face difficult questions.Gina Haspel describes herself as a typical middle-class American but the testimony of former colleagues reveals a skilled intelligence operative with an empirical mind, a taste for adventure and a talent for infiltrating terrorist cells.At her confirmation hearing this week she was commended as an intelligence professional with unwavering honesty but was also grilled about the use of "enhanced interrogation" techniques, the waterboarding of terrorist suspects at a CIA base she ran and the subsequent destruction of evidence. The interrogation issue could block her confirmation by the Senate.Mark Coles talks to former colleagues and security experts about the agent who's spent 30 years trying not to be noticed but who now needs to convince US Senators that she's right for the top job.Presenter: Mark Coles
Producers: Estelle Doyle and Diane Richardson
Editor: Helen Grady.
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