Kirsty Wark

Kirsty Wark is one of Britain’s most respected and recognised journalists and television presenters. Known for her hosting duties across a range of BBC programming, she is familiar to millions as a presenter of BBC Two’s Newsnight since 1993.

Wark began her BBC career as a graduate researcher at Radio Scotland, and was later a producer of Good Morning Scotland and other radio programming. In 1982, she moved to television, producing shows such as Agenda, Current Account and Reporting Scotland, before going in front of the camera on Seven Days and Left, Right and Centre. She became known to audiences throughout the UK as part of the presenting team for Breakfast Time, and her hosting duties on programmes such as The Late Show, One Foot in the Past, and her own interview programme The Kirsty Wark Show. She is today best known for presenting Newsnight, a role she has held for over a quarter of a century. During her tenure she has interviewed most of the leading political figures of the age and become known for her persistent and direct questioning.

Beyond her main presenting work, Wark has appeared on Have I Got News For You, reached the final of Celebrity MasterChef, appeared in a celebrity series of The Great British Bake Off, and has had cameo roles in shows including Absolutely Fabulous and The Politician’s Husband. With husband Alan Clements, Wark co-founded television production company Wark Clements, which merged with Ideal World to form IWC Media in 2004. She is the author of two novels – The House By The Loch, and The Legacy of Elizabeth Pringle.

Wark has been awarded Journalist of the Year and Best Television Presenter by BAFTA Scotland, and was nominated for BAFTA’s Richard Dimbleby Award. She is a Fellow of the Royal Society of Edinburgh.