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Tom Fletcher heads the UN’s Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) and has been at the forefront of recent efforts to deliver aid into Gaza. Last week, he was criticised for making inaccurate claims about the impact of the Israeli blockade. No stranger to tough jobs, he was previously a foreign policy advisor to three British Prime Ministers and the UK Ambassador to Lebanon as the country dealt with the civil war in neighbouring Syria. He once fought the mayor of Nairobi in a boxing match and had a mortar round land in his swimming pool at the British embassy in Beirut. One of four siblings, he was born in Folkestone, where he attended the Harvey Grammar School before studying at Oxford University. Prior to his UN role he was Principal of Hertford College and has written books on diplomacy as well as novels. Presenter: Mark Coles Producers: Tom Gillett, Lucy Pawle and Jo Casserly Editor: Nick Holland Sound: Gareth Jones Production Coordinator: Sabine Schereck

In April 2024 Rosemary Coogan became only the third person from the UK to qualify as an astronaut after completing basic training with the European Space Agency (ESA). Originally from Northern Ireland, she excelled academically and holds two master's degrees from Durham University and a PhD in astronomy from the University of Sussex. She became an ESA astronaut after a challenging selection process which whittled down 22,000 applicants. The agency hopes to send Rosemary to the International Space Station by 2030. In this episode of Profile, Stephen Smith explores the life and career of the woman who has a chance of becoming the first person from the UK to walk on the moon. Presenter: Stephen Smith Producers: Tom Gillett and Lucy Pawle Editor: Nick Holland Sound: Neil Churchill Production Coordinator: Sabine Schereck

Earlier this month the US Secretary of State Marco Rubio was also made President Trump's National Security Advisor. The last person to undertake both roles simultaneously was Henry Kissinger in the 1970s. The son of Cuban immigrants, Mr Rubio has had a turbo-charged career; rising from junior positions in his home city of Florida, to the US Senate which he reached before he turned 40 and now a Cabinet position where he dominate US foreign policy. As a boy he dreamed of being President and he made his first attempt in 2016-. The Republican primaries were brutal, with candidates trading deeply personal insults. It was assumed that Mr Rubio's relationship with the eventual winner of that contest - Donald Trump - had been fatally damaged. But they continued their working relationship and today Rubio serves as one of the President's most trusted advisors. Will Marco Rubio be tempted to run once again for the White House? And what forces have shaped his stellar political career? Presenter: Mark Coles Producers: Tom Gillett and Lucy Pawle Editor: Matt Willis Sound: David Crackles Production Coordinator: Katie Morrison

Reform UK triumphed in May’s local elections, winning many more council seats up for grabs than the other major parties. Behind the scenes the party has gone through major changes. Millionaire businessman and donor Zia Yusuf was appointed Chairman last summer, and has been credited with professionalising the party. The son of Sri Lankan immigrants, he made his money co-founding a luxury concierge business, before moving into politics; and all before the age of 40. But where do his ambitions lie beyond being chairman? And where does the future of the party lie beyond the central figure of Nigel Farage? In this episode of Profile, Stephen Smith explores the life, career and journey of the man some say is responsible for Reform UK’s growing success. Presenter: Stephen Smith Producers: Lucy Pawle and Nik Sindle Researcher: Gabriel May Editor: Max Deveson Sound: Gareth Jones Production Co-ordinator: Maria Ogundele Archive: BBC News ‘Communication Problems’ - Fawlty Towers BBC / writers: John Cleese and Connie Booth

President Trump shocked the world earlier this year when he announced plans to impose tariffs affecting nearly all goods entering America. But rather than coming as a surprise, the US President had made the policy one of the key cornerstones of his re-election campaign. He'd also implemented some tariffs during his first term in office too. Despite strong opposition to the move, President Trump enjoys the unflinching of economist Peter Navarro, who is seen by many as the architect of the agenda. Having advised the US President during his first term in office, Navarro is back in the White House to see it through. In this episode of Profile, Mark Coles explores the life, career and journey of Trump's key economic advisor on global trade. Presenter: Mark Coles Producers: Ben Cooper, Lucy Pawle and Smita Patel Researchers: Chloe Scannapieco and Darin Graham Editor: Max Deveson Sound: Gareth Jones Production Co-ordinator: Maria Ogundele Archive: BBC News C-SPAN Politico

Canadians are gearing up to vote in a snap General Election. It's been called by Mark Carney, the former Governor of the Bank of England, who in recent months replaced Justin Trudeau as leader of Canada's ruling Liberal Party. Carney is hoping to receive a fresh mandate from the public, and face down US President Donald Trump, whose rhetoric towards America's neighbour in the north has become increasingly belligerent since returning to the White House. It's been a long journey for 60-year-old Carney - from growing up in a small town in Canada's Northwest Territories all the way to the very highest levels of international diplomacy. In this episode of Profile, Stephen Smith charts the life and career of the man hoping to become Canada's Prime Minister. Producers: Ben Cooper and Lucy Pawle Researcher: Chloe Scannapieco Editor: Max Deveson Sound: James Beard Production Co-ordinator: Katie Morrison Archive: BBC News BBC Radio 4 AC 24 Global News The Guardian

Beloved Britpop band Pulp have released their first new music in almost a quarter of a century, the single 'Spike Island'. Their talismanic frontman Jarvis Cocker has always been the band's star turn, with his second-hand 70s style, mesmeric stage presence and biting lyrics. Following some difficult early years in his hometown of Sheffield, Cocker formed the band in 1978, but had to wait over a decade before breaking through on the crest of the Britpop wave in the mid-90s. The band released some of the most memorable and well-loved songs of the era, including 'Common People' and 'Disco 2000'. But his very public bottom-baring protest against Michael Jackson at the 1996 Brit Awards thrust him even more firmly into the public's imagination, and the fame he had craved for so long quickly took a darker turn. Mark Coles speaks to some of the most important people in Jarvis's story, including current and former bandmates Candida Doyle, Nick Banks and Richard Hawley, and his sister Saskia. Presenter: Mark Coles Producer: Ben Cooper Researcher: Chloe Scannapieco Editor: Max Deveson Sound: Gareth Jones Production Coordinator: Maria Ogundele

Stephen Smith profiles the actor Lesley Manville, winner of a second Olivier theatre award. From growing up in Hove to her long time collaboration with film maker Mike Leigh, Manville has a reputation as the complete professional. With contributions from Mike Leigh, Director Rob Icke, Actor Tim McCullan, former teacher Julia Clarey, Observer critic Susannah Clap and friend Rebecca Blond. Presenter: Stephen Smith Production Team: Bob Howard, Chloe Scannapieco, Devian Maside Editor: Max Deveson Sound Engineer: Gareth Jones Production Coordinator: Maria Ogundele

Steve Witkoff started out as a New York lawyer, until a late night encounter with Donald Trump in a sandwich shop inspired him to move into real estate. Known as "Smoking Steve", he has amassed a property empire worth millions, become friends and golf buddies with Trump, and has now been appointed as his Middle East Envoy and go-to international negotiator and trouble shooter. To his critics he's dangerously unqualified and out of his depth. To his ers, he's the straight-talking fresh pair of eyes needed to resolve deeply entrenched conflicts. Presenter: Mark Coles Producers: Josephine Casserly, Chloe Scannapieco, Devian Maside Editor: Max Deveson Sound Engineer: James Beard Production Coordinators: Sabine Schereck and Maria Ogundele

Jack Thorne is co-author of Netflix drama Adolescence. But this is far from his first rodeo, over a 20 year career, his writing has appeared in many iconic British dramas, from Shameless and This is England '86 to His Dark Materials. He started out as a playwright and hasn't lost his love for theatre, having written West End box office hit, Harry Potter and the Cursed Child. Jack is known in the industry for his compulsive work ethic, political edge and capacity for empathy. Stephen Smith speaks to the people close to Jack, including early collaborator and Oscar-winner Daniel Kaluuya, actor Morven Christie, and Jack's dad, Mike Thorne. Presenter: Stephen Smith Producers: Josephine Casserly and Chloe Scannapieco Editor: Max Deveson Sound: James Beard Production Co-ordinators: Maria Ogundele, Sabine Schereck Archive: Adolescence, Plan B, Netflix This is England ‘86, Warp Films and Film4 Production, Channel 4 Skins, Netflix

Jonathan Powell, the UK’s National Security Adviser, is used to operating behind the scenes: he’s spent decades working as a diplomat, negotiator and mediator. Recent events in the US and Ukraine have thrust him into the spotlight. After the fiery Oval Office meeting between President Trump and Volodymyr Zelensky, Powell has been credited with advising Ukraine and ensuring that lines of communication were kept open. He travelled to Kyiv to meet Zelensky and played a key role in fashioning a plan for a ceasefire and the steps that might follow. Powell began his career in the foreign office before becoming Tony Blair’s chief of staff. He was crucial to the negotiations that led to the Good Friday Agreement which helped bring peace to Northern Ireland. Since then, he’s worked on resolving conflicts and crises all over the world in places like Colombia, Mozambique and Libya. Mark Coles talks to his friends, family and former colleagues to find out how this veteran negotiator became one of the most important figures shaping British foreign policy. Presenter: Mark Coles Producers: Viv Jones, Hugh Sheehan, Clare Williamson, Mantej Deol Editor: Bridget Harney Sound: James Beard Production Co-ordinators: Maria Ogundele, Sabine Schereck

Work and Pensions Secretary Liz Kendall has one the toughest tasks in Labour’s domestic programme: tackling the burgeoning welfare bill. Next week, the government is expected to announce reforms to the welfare system. There is unease over the plans within the party, with some Labour MPs saying they fear drastic cuts could push vulnerable people into poverty. The move could split the party and put Liz Kendall in a difficult position. A grammar school girl, Kendall went on to study history at Cambridge, where she liked to revise while sunbathing and listening to Wham. She became MP for Leicester West in 2010, and ran for Labour leader in 2015, but came away with just 4.5% of the vote. Now on Keir Starmer’s front bench, her ers say she’s not afraid of a fight and willing to take on some of the party’s sacred cows. Presenter: Stephen Smith Producers: Viv Jones, Chloe Scannapieco, Hugh Sheehan, Keiligh Baker Editor: Bridget Harney Sound: Neil Churchill Production Co-ordinators: Maria Ogundele, Sabine Schereck

As the European Union’s foreign policy chief, Kaja Kallas is the bloc's top diplomat. So when EU leaders gathered in Brussels this week to thrash out a new defence plan for Ukraine, Kallas was in the thick of things. Before taking up the EU role she was Prime Minister of Estonia, the nation's first female leader. She was born in 1977 in the Estonian capital Tallinn, then part of the Soviet Union, into a family bound up with her country’s centuries-old struggle for independence. A Russia hawk and fierce critic of Putin, she is already on the Kremlin’s wanted list. Mark Coles has been talking with her friends and political allies to understand how Kaja Kallas came to be called "Europe's Iron Lady". Production Team Producers: Viv Jones, Chloe Scannapieco, Keiligh Baker, Hugh Sheehan Editor: Ben Mundy Sound: Neil Churchill Production Co-ordinators: Katie Morrison

He’s the former corporate lawyer, who has a pilot's licence and loves music, but has never before been a government minister. Friedrich Merz was born in the west German town of Brilon in 1955 into a prominent conservative, Catholic family. He ed the Christian Democratic Union (CDU) while still at school, before going on to study law. Merz then worked as a lawyer and judge for a few years, but he always had his eye on politics. He was elected to the European Parliament in 1989, and his journey to the top has been a winding one. Sidelined by Angela Merkel before she became chancellor, he quit parliament entirely to pursue a lucrative series of corporate jobs and was written off as yesterday's man. Yet he now looks set to clinch the job he has coveted for so long, as Stephen Smith has been finding out. Production Team Producers: Arlene Gregorius, Caroline Bayley, Chloe Scannapieco Editor: Ben Mundy Sound: Neil Churchill Production Co-ordinators: Maria Ogundele, Sabine Schereck, Janet Staples Audio of Friedrich Merz at the Munich Security Conference by Bayerischer Rundfunk Audio of swearing-in ceremony of Angela Merkel, 2005, by ZDF Audio of French President Macron at the White House courtesy of the White House

His 14 year-stint at the top of European politics has earned him a distinguished record of domestic and international achievements. Mark Rutte, born in The Hague in 1967, embarked on a career in business after leaving university and held several positions at Unilever. His career in Dutch politics started in 2002, and four years later – as leader of the VVD party – he became prime minister. During his tenure, he steered the Netherlands through times of significant national and global upheaval. From economic crisis, to the coronavirus pandemic. And now, as the North Atlantic Treaty Organization’s 14th Secretary General, he faces his next challenge – leading Europe’s response to recent Russia-US talks over Ukraine. Mark Coles takes a closer look at Mark Rutte. Production Team Producers: Sally Abrahams, Mantej Deol, Chloe Scannapieco Editor: Ben Mundy Sound: Neil Churchill Production Co-ordinators: Maria Ogundele and Sabine Schereck Credits t press conference by NATO Secretary General, Mark Rutte with the President of Slovakia, Peter Pellegrini, 20 Feb. 2025 Mark Rutte cycles away from his office, on his last day as Prime Minister of the Netherlands, tv47 Yes Minister, BBC TV, Comedy Greats

Having helped mastermind Labour's renewal in the 1980s and 1990s, one of British politics best-known figures has just embarked on his latest role. And, it's a long way from Hartlepool, in the post-industrial North-East of England, where he first became an MP. Born in 1953, Peter Mandelson started on the road to party politics as a researcher at the Trades Union Congress. After a stint as a TV producer, he left to take up the role of Labour's director of communications, but his real ambition was a place in Parliament. Even his sternest critics accept he is a slick political operator and a good networker, but he’s a controversial figure – with a big challenge ahead. Stephen Smith takes a closer look at the UK’s new ambassador to the US, and the man once dubbed the "Prince of Darkness". Production Team Producers: Sally Abrahams, Mantej Deol, Marianna Brain, Chloe Scannapieco Editor: Ben Mundy Sound: James Beard Production Co-ordinators: Maria Ogundele and Jack Young Credits London Weekend Television station ident 1970s Jon Culshaw, Imposter Syndrome UK tour

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 Gower Editor: 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 Bremen Katia Glod, Russia-West Policy Fellow at the European Leadership Network and Non-resident Fellow with Centre for European Policy Analysis, Washington DC Pavel 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

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 Latham Editor: Ben Mundy Sound: James Beard Production Co-ordinator: Maria Ogundele and Jack Young

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 Latham Editor: Ben Mundy Sound: Neil Churchill Production Co-ordinator: Maria Ogundele and Jack Young Credits Emilia Perez, Trailer Director, Jacques Audiard; Production companies: Why Not Productions, Page 114, Pathe, 2 Cinema, Saint Laurent Productions "Claudia: El Documental", Director: Rodrigo Imaz; @ClaudiaSheinbaumP https://youtu.be/NDuUL-RQvMU The Nobel Peace Prize, 2007, Nobelprize.org

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 Abrahams Editor: Ben Mundy Sound: James Beard Production Co-ordinators: Maria Ogundele and Jack Young Credits: Marketing Academy: Rene Carayol interviews Allan Leighton Mars Maltesters, TV advert 1970s Walmart Rollback TV advert 1998 Asda Rollback TV advert