John Pienaar

Esteemed political reporter, John Pienaar, has been a correspondent on the topic for three decades. A leading figure for the BBC for 28 years, John has covered all aspects of British politics, from Westminster updates to historical referendums, his voice has focused the facts for the nation. With such a varied and comprehensive career, John now combines his time as a host for Times Radio, with numerous speaking engagements. An asset to any event, John’s life makes for an entertaining and engaging after-dinner talk, with plenty of exclusive anecdotes, and his on-screen excellence naturally transition to the stage as a facilitator or host for the occasion. Best associated with his 28 years spent at the BBC, John joined the broadcaster in 1992 as a presenter on several television and radio news shows.

As a political reporter, John impressed audiences, transforming complex events into layman’s terms, he was credited with his ability to make political jargon accessible, whilst maintain the facts. Excelling in every format of the role, John was named BBC Chief Political Correspondent in 2002 at Radio 5 Live, his voice a guide to the daily updates from parliament. Other popular radio shows hosted by John include Pienaar’s Politics, Question Time Extra Time and on occasion, Daily Politics. From 2015 John held the prestigious role of Deputy Political Editor for BBC. An accredited NCTJ journalist, John gained his qualifications at Highbury College before embarking on his professional career. Starting at the South London Press, John thrived in the fast-paced world of news, quickly taking to the position of Old Bailey correspondent. 

Standing out for his meticulous attention to detail, authoritative delivery and dedication to his work, John continued to progress, adding The Independent, Press Association and The Guardian to his credits, and developing an impressive reputation in the industry. Continuing his extensive career in journalism, in 2020 John departed from his longstanding position at the BBC to begin a new role at Times Radio as the Drive Time host. Remaining relevant in the changing face of journalism is a feat for John, who has repeatedly shown his adaptability, taking on new challenges and platforms with aplomb. Combining his radio commitments with speaking engagements, John excels as both an after-dinner speaker and event facilitator thanks to his vast experience in presenting.