The inside story

Studying at UCL

When it came to applying to university, although I knew I ultimately wanted to pursue a career in broadcast journalism, I decided to focus on Italian and deepen my understanding of the language and country I had grown to love, before pursuing a postgraduate qualification in journalism.

Having grown up in London, I wanted to stay in my hometown for my degree. I was drawn to UCL’s outward-looking ethos; it didn’t feel like an insular institution, and I believe that's even more true today. My sister also studied at UCL and loved it – just like our careers in journalism, studying at UCL has become a family tradition! I was also impressed by UCL’s Italian department, which has a particularly strong reputation and a rich history. The teaching staff were exceptional and highly regarded by their peers well beyond the department. 

The Italian course was very diverse: in addition to language and linguistics, we studied Italian literature, art, history and film. I particularly remember the wonderful lectures by Professor Robert Lumley, where we would watch beautiful Italian films, discuss them and reflect on their meaning. The course was all about enrichment; it wasn’t just about learning words – it was about understanding a different culture. We explored new ways of thinking, traditions and ideas.

I also found plenty of time for socialising at UCL. I loved cocktail nights at the UCL bar on Thursdays, and despite the cocktails, these are some of my clearest memories from my student days –just having fun, being with friends and partying.

I spent my year abroad in Rome, studying Modern History at Luiss University. To me, Rome is one of the most beautiful cities in the world. I had already lived there during my gap year, so I knew the city very well. I lived in an apartment near the Colosseum; it was idyllic! 

Fledgling reporter

All in all, I think my time at UCL provided the foundation for my career as a news reporter. Strong communication skills are essential for both mastering a foreign language and succeeding in broadcast journalism. Studying alongside students from all over the world taught me how to engage with people from diverse backgrounds. Now, when I'm sent to different places to conduct interviews, this skill is invaluable, as I need to connect with anyone, regardless of their country or background. My studies in history enable me to understand how past events shape our present and future.  

After graduating from UCL in 2000, I completed a postgraduate diploma in Broadcast Journalism at the London College of Communication (now part of UAL) and got my first job as a business reporter and producer for Independent Radio News a year later.

As a fledgling reporter, I covered the September 11 attacks, interviewing people in the buildings who had lost colleagues. This was a formative moment, instilling in me a profound sense of the importance of journalism: allowing people to share their stories when they might not otherwise have had the chance.

I took on additional shifts as a news presenter on weekends, in addition to my business reporting duties. This gave me valuable experience covering the main news and allowed me to put together a showreel, which ultimately led to a position in the BBC’s main news department in 2019. I was later announced as one of the BBC’s chief presenters with the launch of The World Today with Maryam Moshiri. 

I’m now doing the job I dreamed of as a kid – even if I’m not the Rome correspondent! And I try to use my Italian whenever I can. During the BBC's coverage of the 2023 Eurovision Song Contest in May, I went to Liverpool and interviewed one of the contestants, the Italian singer-songwriter Marco Mengoni, speaking to him in Italian during the live interview. The Embassy of Italy in London even reached out to me afterward, impressed with my Italian, and invited me for tea with the Ambassador! 

What I love most about my job is having a front-row seat at some of the biggest events in history – from covering the coronation of King Charles to interviewing civilians in Ukraine after Russia’s invasion and speaking with people in Italy when the coronavirus first hit. When I sit down to present the news, I never know what’s going to happen. Breaking news could come in from anywhere around the world. How will a story develop? What will a guest or politician I’m interviewing say that could be significant? Every day is different, and every day I learn something new.