Robert Peston
Robert Peston is a British journalist, television presenter and author who helps organisations understand politics, economics and the forces shaping the UK economy and financial system.
- Political Editor at ITV News and presenter of the political programme Peston.
- Co-host of the business and economics podcast The Rest Is Money.
- Former Business Editor and Economics Editor at the BBC.
- Held senior editorial roles at the Financial Times, including Political Editor, Banking Editor and founder of its investigations unit.
- Author of seven books on British politics, economics and institutional reform, including Who Runs Britain?, How Do We Fix This Mess?, WTF?, The Whistleblower, The Crash and Bust?.
- Founder of the education charity Speakers for Schools, which later rebranded as Futures For All.
Full Profile
Key speaking topics
- UK politics and public policy
- Economic policy and the UK economy
- Financial crises and banking systems
- Political leadership and institutional reform
- Inequality and economic power
- Media, politics and public accountability
- Global economic and political trends
Ideal for
- Corporate leadership teams navigating political and economic uncertainty
- Financial services and banking audiences
- Policy, regulatory and government affairs professionals
- Conferences focused on economics, politics and public affairs
Audience outcomes
- Clear understanding of the forces shaping UK politics and economic policy
- Insight into the relationship between government, markets and financial institutions
- Context for major economic disruptions such as financial crises
- Perspectives on institutional reform, inequality and economic governance
Why organisations work with Robert Peston
- First-hand experience reporting on major economic and political events in the UK.
- Deep knowledge of the relationship between politics, policy and financial markets.
- Ability to translate complex political and economic developments into clear analysis for business audiences.
- Broad perspective shaped by senior roles in broadcast journalism, national newspapers and published research on the UK economy.
Biography
Robert Peston is one of the UK’s most recognised political and economic journalists, known for his reporting on the forces shaping government policy, financial markets and the wider economy. As Political Editor at ITV News and presenter of the politics programme Peston, he provides analysis of the decisions and institutions that influence business, markets and public life.
Before joining ITV, he held senior roles at the BBC as Business Editor and Economics Editor. His reporting during the global financial crisis brought national attention to the unfolding events affecting major banks and financial institutions, establishing him as a prominent voice on the intersection of finance, politics and economic policy.
Earlier in his career, Peston held a series of senior editorial positions at the Financial Times, including Political Editor and Banking Editor, and founded the newspaper’s investigations unit. These roles built his reputation for detailed reporting on financial institutions, economic governance and the political decisions that shape markets.
Alongside his broadcast work, Peston is the author of seven books examining British politics, economics, inequality and institutional reform. His titles include Who Runs Britain?, How Do We Fix This Mess?, WTF?, The Whistleblower, The Crash and Bust?, later revised and updated as How to Run Britain.
He also co-hosts the business and economics podcast The Rest Is Money and has presented several factual television documentaries exploring topics such as the global financial crisis, the UK economy and international economic change.
Beyond journalism, Peston founded the education charity Speakers for Schools, which later rebranded as Futures For All. He also serves as Vice President of Hospice UK.