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Despite just winning a seventh consecutive presidential term, a look at Alexander Lukashenko’s early life reveals rather humbler origins.
Brought up by a single mother in a poor village in eastern Belarus, he first made his mark as the manager of a farm in the late 1980s.
After moving into politics at the end of that decade, he quickly established his reputation as a man with authoritarian instincts – and by 1994, he was elected president of Belarus for the first time.
Ever since, he has managed a balancing act between Russia, his closest economic and political partner, and overtures to the West. But, the country’s faced sanctions following its role in the invasion of Ukraine, while many Western governments have labelled this latest election as a sham.
Stephen Smith takes a closer look at the man often referred to as Europe's last dictator.
Production Team
Producers: Sally Abrahams, Charlotte McDonald and Nathan GowerEditor: Ben Mundy Sound: James Beard Production Co-ordinator: Maria Ogundele and Jack Young
Guests
Svetlana Tikhanovskaya, leader of the democratic opposition of Belarus Olga Dryndova, Editor of Belarus-Analysen, University of BremenKatia Glod, Russia-West Policy Fellow at the European Leadership Network and Non-resident Fellow with Centre for European Policy Analysis, Washington DCPavel Latushka, former Minister of Culture, Belarus government, now Belarus opposition politician Rosemary Thomas, former UK ambassador to Belarus
Credits
Animal Farm by George Orwell, recording produced by Ciaran Bermingham Narrated by Roger Ringrose
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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
Producers: Sally Abrahams and Bethan Ashmead LathamEditor: Ben MundySound: James BeardProduction Co-ordinator: Maria Ogundele and Jack Young
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Saknas det avsnitt?
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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
Producers: Sally Abrahams and Bethan Ashmead LathamEditor: Ben MundySound: Neil ChurchillProduction Co-ordinator: Maria Ogundele and Jack Young
CreditsEmilia 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-RQvMU
The Nobel Peace Prize, 2007, Nobelprize.org
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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
Producers: Nathan Gower and Sally AbrahamsEditor: Ben MundySound: James BeardProduction Co-ordinators: Maria Ogundele and Jack Young
Credits:Marketing Academy: Rene Carayol interviews Allan LeightonMars Maltesters, TV advert 1970s Walmart Rollback TV advert 1998 Asda Rollback TV advert
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He’s been described by his new bosses at the Football Association as, "one of the best coaches in the world".
Thomas Tuchel has also earned a reputation as a “control freak”, with “charming” yet “divisive” attributes.
Born in Krumbach, Bavaria in 1973 his football journey began as a youngster when his father coached him at his local club. After growing into a promising defender, a knee injury brought his playing career to an end at the age of 25, but he’d already turned his eye to coaching.
Spells at Augsburg, Mainz, Borussia Dortmund, Paris Saint-Germain, Chelsea and Bayern Munich followed. As did the honours, including a Champions League title.
But, as he now embarks on the international stage, Mark Coles has been talking with Thomas Tuchel’s friends and colleagues to find out more about the man leading the Three Lions.
Production Team
Producers: Bob Howard and Drew HyndmanEditor: Ben MundySound: John ScottProduction Co-ordinator: Maria Ogundele
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Oh! What’s occurrin'? Good question…
This week’s Profile, with Stephen Smith, is focusing in on a woman born in Bridgend in south Wales, who loved to participate in musical theatre as a child – and went on to create one of Britain’s best-loved sitcoms.
With a degree in drama under her belt from the University of Warwick, Ruth Jones initially found work at BBC Wales in both TV and radio comedy. She soon branched out into theatre, before gaining a role in the popular ITV series Fat Friends.
It was there that she would work with James Corden for the first time. But not the last. The pair went onto create BBC Three hit, Gavin & Stacey in 2007. Seventeen years on, the sitcom has just provided us with one last trip to Barry Island and Billericay.
So grab a chicken bhuna, lamb bhuna, prawn bhuna, mushroom rice, bag of chips, keema naan, nine poppadoms and listen to this episode of Profile on the woman known for her iconic role as Nessa.
Production Team
Producers: Ben Cooper and Diane RichardsonEditors: Ben Mundy and Sarah WadesonSound: John ScottProduction Co-ordinator: Maria Ogundele
Credits
Gavin & Stacey 2008 Christmas Special: BBC / Baby Cow ProductionsLittle Britain: BBCBarry Islands In The Stream: BBC / Comic Relief / Mercury Records
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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
Producers: Nathan Gower and Ben CooperEditor: Sarah WadesonSound: John ScottProduction Co-ordinator: Maria Ogundele
Credits
Canal+
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Through his passion for stop motion and modelling clay, we have come to love his silent (but wise) dog and well-meaning owner.
Wallace and Gromit are Nick Park’s most famous creations, but what more do we know about this Preston born Oscar winner?
He would use his mother’s home movie camera to record his early films; he studied animation at the National Film and Television School in Buckinghamshire; and joined Aardman Animations in the mid-80s.
Over the last few decades, Nick Park has gained critical acclaim for feature films, Chicken Run and Early Man. So, as we await the latest Wallace and Gromit offering this Christmas, Mark Coles has donned the RIGHT trousers to take a closer look at the multi-award winning animator.
Archive CreditsWallace & Gromit: A Grand Day Out directed by Nick Park (Aardman Animations/National Film and Television School)Wallace & Gromit: Vengeance Most Fowl directed by directed by Nick Park and Merlin Crossingham (Aardman Animations)Creature Comforts directed by Nick Park (Aardman Animations)Chicken Run directed by Peter Lord and Nick Park (Aardman Animations/Pathé/DreamWorks Animation)Wallace & Gromit: The Curse of the Were-Rabbit directed by Nick Park and Steve Box (Aardman Animations/DreamWorks Animation)Wallace & Gromit Christmas Jumper Ident (Aardman Animations for the BBC) Merlin Crossingham & Nick Park on WALLACE AND GROMIT: VENGEANCE MOST FOWL at AFI Fest 2024 (American Film Institute)The Bike Ride (Collett Dickenson Pearce)
Production Team
Presenter: Mark ColesProducers: Bob Howard and Natalie Ktena Editor: Richard VadonSound: Gareth JonesProduction Co-ordinator: Maria Ogundele
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From using a skateboard to baking sourdough, Tom Molnar leads an eclectic life.
Born in the United States, he earned a degree in Ecology at Dartmouth College, before going on to gain experience in corporate strategy and client management. It was during those years, that he noticed a gap in the market for quality bread.
Tom Molnar joined forces with Ran Avidan and Gail Mejia in 2005, and their Gail’s story began in a small corner of North London. Nearly 20 years later, the chain has become omnipresent on high streets all over the country and looks set to yield a handsome sum amid speculation that its owners have appointed a Wall Street bank to oversee an auction.
Stephen Smith takes a closer look at the visionary behind one of Britain’s fastest-growing chains.
Production team
Producers: Ben Cooper and Natalie KtenaEditor: Ben Mundy Sound: James Beard Production Co-ordinator: Maria Ogundele
Credits
BBC / Gordon Murray PuppetsGentleman's Journal
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She is the self-styled "proud Yorkshirewoman" at the centre of an extraordinary week at Westminster.
Kim Leadbeater, the Labour MP behind a bid to legalise assisted dying for the terminally ill in England and Wales, was born in West Yorkshire in 1976.
Before her life in politics, she worked in furniture sales and as an exercise instructor, before becoming a lecturer in health and exercise in her late 20s. But it was the murder of her sister Jo Cox in 2016 that saw her thrust into the public eye.
After years promoting social cohesion with the Jo Cox Foundation and More In Common, in 2021 she became an MP in the same constituency her sister had represented.
Mark Coles talks to family, friends and political allies, to understand the views and events that have shaped the woman at the centre of an intense, and highly charged debate.
Production Team
Producers: Nathan Gower and Ben CooperEditor: Ben MundySound: James BeardProduction Co-ordinators: Maria Ogundele
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From television commercials in the 1970s, to today’s toga-ripping, chariot-flipping sequel to Gladiator.
Sir Ridley Scott is one of Britain’s greatest film directors.
The grammar school boy, born in South Shields, spent part of his childhood in Germany before pursuing his passion for art at school in Hartlepool and then the Royal College of Art.
But the camera appealed to Scott as much as the canvas, and Stephen Smith has been talking with the Hollywood titan’s friends, family and peers to find out more about him - and his work.
Production Team
Producers: Nathan Gower and Ben CooperEditor: Ben MundySound: James BeardProduction Co-ordinators: Maria Ogundele
Credits
Alien (1979): 20th Century-Fox, Brandywine ProductionsGladiator (2000): DreamWorks Pictures, Universal Pictures, Scott Free Productions, Red Wagon EntertainmentNapoleon (2023): Apple Studios, Scott Free Productions, Columbia Pictures (through Sony Pictures Releasing)Gladiator II (2024): Scott Free Productions, Lucy Fisher/Douglas Wick Productions, Paramount Pictures
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Born in communist East Germany, to a German mother and Iranian father, Sahra Wagenknecht has long been the face of the country’s hard left.
But her own breakaway political movement, supporting a higher minimum wage as well as an end to weapons deliveries to Ukraine, appears to be gaining further support.
And with Germany set to hold elections early next year, following the collapse of the governing coalition, some think the 54-year-old will play a pivotal role in the future politics of the EU's largest economy.
In this edition of Profile, Mark Coles takes a closer look at the leader of the Sahra Wagenknecht Alliance (BSW).
Production teamProducers: Emma Close and Ben Cooper Editor: Ben MundySound: Neil ChurchillProduction Co-ordinator: Maria Ogundele and Janet Staples
CreditsDW
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She is one of the highest-ranking women in the Labour Party, now holding the position of home secretary.
Yvette Cooper, born in Inverness in 1969, grew up in Hampshire and went on to forge a career in politics full of firsts.
She served as the first female chief secretary to the Treasury. She also became the first minister to take maternity leave, and she was one half of the first married couple in the cabinet - alongside Ed Balls.
But not everyone is convinced Yvette Cooper has the answers to the big problems in her in-tray, particularly on the small boats issue.
Stephen Smith talks to friends and political allies, to understand the views and events that have shaped this veteran Labour politician.
Production team Producers: Emma Close and Nathan Gower Editor: Ben Mundy Sound: James Beard Production Co-ordinators: Maria Ogundele
CreditsPolitical Thinking with Nick Robinson (BBC)1991 Harvard Commencement Address1992 Bill Clinton Campaign SpeechTony Blair 1997 Election Victory Speech2015 Election Exit Poll (BBC)
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From his hilltop glass mansion in ancient Tbilisi, he’s accused of cultivating Georgia’s shift from the west over the past decade.
And, with his political party’s recent victory in the parliamentary elections, that trajectory appears set to continue for some time yet.
Bidzina Ivanishvili is the guiding force behind the Georgian Dream party, but what else do we know about the mysterious billionaire?
In this edition of Profile, Mark Coles takes a closer look at the man who keeps animals, collects rare trees, and who spent much of the 1990s in Russia founding companies.
Production team Producers: Ben Cooper, Marianna Brain, Kirsteen Knight Editor: Ben Mundy Sound: Neil Churchill Production Co-ordinator: Maria Ogundele
CreditsIMEDI TV
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The Liverpool-born comedian, known for his razor-sharp wit, has traded in his stand-up routines for some serious dance moves of late.
Chris McCausland is the first blind contestant to take part in the BBC show, Strictly Come Dancing - and he's being tipped as a possible winner.
In his 20s, Chris lost most of his sight due to retinitis pigmentosa. But that didn’t slow down his career. He's been lighting up the comedy scene since 2003, with regular appearances on hit programmes like 8 Out of 10 Cats Does Countdown and Would I Lie to You. He's also taken to the iconic stage of Live at the Apollo.
In this edition of Profile, Stephen Smith talks to some of his closest friends, fellow comedians and former colleagues about his life, Strictly success - and the time he attended a job interview in the wrong trousers.
Production teamProducers: Caroline Bayley, Julie Ball, Natasha FernandesEditor: Ben MundySound: James BeardProduction Co-ordinators: Maria Ogundele
CreditsLive at the Apollo, Open Mike Production, 04/01/2018
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He's the man who masterminded Labour's general election campaign, and now holds one of the most important positions in Downing Street.
Morgan McSweeney was recently appointed the prime minister's chief of staff, after Sue Gray quit the role. But what do we know about him?
Born in Macroom, County Cork, he moved to London aged 17. He soon joined the Labour party under Tony Blair, working in a junior role at their headquarters.
He rose through the ranks, forging a reputation as a skilled campaign strategist, and has been credited with being the brains behind this year's landslide victory.
Mark Coles speaks to the people who know him - from school friends back home in Ireland, to others who've worked with him.
Production teamProducers: Bob Howard, Caroline Bayley, Ellie House, Natasha FernandesEditor: Ben MundySound: Neil ChurchillProduction Co-ordinators: Maria Ogundele
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She’s a girl from New York's Lower East Side whom grew up to a life of stardom and is now known by just one name.
Gaga, a classically trained pianist, has secured Grammy-winning songs like Poker Face and Rain on Me. While her performance in A Star Is Born was Oscar-nominated.
Along the way, there’s been a meat dress, a high-profile stance against US military policy, and a collaborative album with Tony Bennett.
Her latest work, Harlequin, is a companion album to her new big screen performance in Joker: Folie à Deux.
From all-conquering song thrush to screen favourite, Stephen Smith has been find out about the life of Gaga.
Production teamProducers: Diane Richardson, Kirsteen Knight and Ben CooperEditor: Ben MundySound: Neil ChurchillProduction Co-ordinators: Maria Ogundele
Credits Joker: Folie à Deux (Official Trailer) - Writer/director/producer Todd Phillips. Warner Bros.A Star is Born (Official Trailer) - Director Bradley Cooper. Warner Bros.The inauguration of Joe Biden, 2021, CSPAN.The Late Show, RTE.2016 Academy Awards.
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He’s not yet completed a hundred days in his new job, but David Lammy finds himself overseeing the UK’s response to rising tensions in the Middle East.
Born to Guyanese parents in north London, and raised by his mother from the age of 12 after his father left them, the foreign secretary is known for his advocacy for social justice, equality, and human rights.
His journey to the top of British politics began with a legal career – becoming the first black Briton to study a masters in law at Harvard. At 27, David Lammy became Parliament’s youngest MP when he was elected in Tottenham, and he went on to become a junior minister under Sir Tony Blair.
In opposition, he spent some of his time on Labour’s back benches – though now finds himself front and centre, facing countless fast-moving global challenges.
Mark Coles meets some of the people who know David Lammy best - from childhood friends, to his beloved 'Aunty May'.
ContributorsDecca Aitkenhead - Chief Interviewer, The Sunday TimesPaul Waugh - Labour MP for RochdaleBen Rhodes - Political commentatorMayfield Griffith - Godmother of David Lammy
Production teamProducers: Di Richardson, Michaela Graichen and Ben CooperEditor: Ben MundySound: Neil ChurchillProduction Co-ordinators: Maria Ogundele and Janet Staples
ArchiveUnited Nations General Assembly Political Thinking with Nick Robinson, 11 May 2018Channel 4 News
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It’s a tiny computer with a catchy name: Raspberry Pi. But what's the story behind the man who thought up this affordable device?
His name is Eben Upton. He has gone from being a child desperate to make computer games, to the head of a company described as a ‘city darling’.
The firm reported higher than expected profits in its first report, after being listed on the London Stock Exchange.
Stephen Smith has been speaking to Eben Upton’s childhood friends, former colleagues and some big hitters in tech and business.
ContributorsHolly Williams - Business Editor, Press Association news agencyHermann Hauser - Entrepreneur, venture capitalist and co-founder of Amadeus Capital PartnersHarriet Green - Investor, philanthropist. Former chair and CEO of IBM Asia PacificPete Thornhill - School friendVictoria Drew - School friendDavid Cleevely - Entrepreneur and former Raspberry Pi chairman
Production teamProducers: Julie Ball, Farhana Haider, Ben Morris, Michaela GraichenEditor: Tom BigwoodSound: Gareth JonesProduction Co-ordinator: Maria Ogundele
ArchiveCentre for Computing History, CambridgeKerbal Space Program: Take-Two Interactive, publisher Private Division, developer SquadSensible Soccer: developer Sensible Software
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Some call it one of the trickiest jobs in the country. How do you stop the small boats trying to cross the English Channel and smash the smuggling gangs?
The government has appointed Martin Hewitt to the role- he’s leading the UK’s new border security command. It’s a tough job, so can he do it?
Martin Hewitt is a former senior police officer and chair of the National Police Chiefs’ Council. He is also the man who oversaw the policing of Covid lockdowns.
Mark Coles has been speaking to some of his colleagues, former colleagues and the journalists who reported on him.
ContributorsTim Smith - Chief Constable, Kent PoliceDanny Shaw - Former BBC CorrespondentFestus Akinbusoye - Former Police and Crime Commissioner for BedfordshireRuth Turner - Senior Director at the Forward Institute Dal Babu – Former Chief Superintendent in the Metropolitan PoliceVikram Dodd - Guardian Police and Crime Correspondent
Production teamProducers: Farhana Haider, Ben Morris, Ben Cooper, Michaela GraichenEditor: Richard VadonSound: Gareth JonesProduction Co-ordinators: Sabine Schereck and Maria Ogundele
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