Iona Bain

Iona Bain established herself as a leading voice in youth finance by founding the Young Money Blog in 2011. This platform gained recognition for its clear and informative approach to personal finance topics tailored for young people. Her work on Young Money Blog was honored as Money Blog of the Year by Santander Banking Group. In 2018, Iona was named Freelancer of the Year by IPSE, the association for the self-employed. In 2019, Onalytica recognized her as one of the most influential women in finance, and in 2020, she was shortlisted for the prestigious Georgina Henry Prize at the UK Press Awards.

Iona’s career has expanded significantly into broadcast media, where she is a prominent financial journalist. Since 2022, she has served as BBC Morning Live’s resident financial expert, conducting ‘Cash Clinics’ from the Manchester studio and offering financial insights. Her broadcast contributions include presenting special editions of Radio 4’s Moneybox program, focusing on financial education and fraud. She also notably became Radio 1’s ‘Money Hacker,’ providing financial advice to young listeners on the ‘Life Hacks’ program. Additionally, she co-hosted the four-part Radio 4 series ‘The Austerity Audit’ in 2020 with economist Paul Johnson, demonstrating her capacity for in-depth financial analysis. Her television appearances further include Question Time, Newsnight, ITV Tonight, and Woman’s Hour.

Beyond her media work, Iona is an author and speaker. She published her first book, “Spare Change,” a guide to millennial money basics, through Hardie Grant in 2016. She regularly contributes to print and online publications, including a column for the Financial Times Personal Finance section. Her expertise is frequently sought after at major conferences, and she is represented by JLA for speaking engagements. Iona has also engaged in commercial campaigns with notable brands such as Experian, Lloyds Banking Group, Post Office, and Scottish Investment Trust. She holds influential positions as the youngest-ever governor of the Pensions Policy Institute and a member of the industry’s Next Generation Committee, showcasing her commitment to shaping future financial policies.