Profile

This month, the multi-award-winning violinist has started work as the first Scottish and first female director of the Edinburgh Festival since it began in 1947. Nicola Benedetti's passion for culture also extends well beyond performing; she's used her high profile to advocate for the importance of the arts in education. Mark Coles charts Nicola Benedetti's journey from first picking up the violin at age four to overseeing one of the world’s biggest annual cultural events. Researchers: Matt Toulson and Alice Struthers Producers: Ben Cooper and Bob Howard Production Co-ordinators: Helena Warwick-Cross and Maria Ogundele Sound Engineer: Graham Puddifoot Editor: Simon Watts

The chancellor, Surrey-based entrepreneur and protege of David Cameron. He served as Foreign and Health Secretary while twice challenging - unsuccessfully - for the Conservative Party leadership. In just a few days he tore up most of the prime minister's economic policy. Now he has to try and restore the government's credibility with the markets while attempting to deal with the impact of the cost of living crisis. With Timandra Harkness. Produced by Bob Howard Researchers: Alice Struthers, Ellie House, Matt Toulson Production Co-ordinators: Helena Warwick-Cross and Maria Ogundele Sound engineer: James Beard Editor: Bridget Harney

Erling Haaland is a phenomenon. Since arriving in the summer, Manchester City's Norwegian star striker has lit up the Premier League after scoring 20 goals in 13 games. Born in Leeds to a footballing father and an athlete mother, he grew up in a small Norwegian town before moving to Austria and then Germany to further his career. While some foreign footballers have struggled to adapt to English football, Haaland has taken to it like a duck to water. With Mark Coles. Produced by Bob Howard.

Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, commonly known as Lula, was born into poverty in Brazil in 1945. Coming to prominence as a union leader, he failed to become president on three previous occasions before finally succeeding in 2002. He helped reduce social inequality in the country over two terms but after leaving office he became mired in a corruption scandal and was jailed for 18 months. Now he is facing a run off vote for the Brazilian presidency against incumbent Jair Bolsonaro later this month. How did Lula rise to become such a significant politician and can he repeat his electoral success of 20 years ago? With Mark Coles. Produced by Bob Howard. Researchers: Octavia Woodward & Matt Toulson Production Co-ordinator: Helena Warwick-Cross Editor: Richard Vadon Sound engineer: James Beard

Downing Street's new Chief of Staff, Mark Fullbrook, is not a stranger to politics. He's been the "backroom boy" behind many political campaigns around the world, including Boris Johnson's successful Mayor of London campaigns and President George Bush’s unsuccessful re-election bid in 1992. But, until now, Mark Fullbrook has kept his names out of the headlines. That changed when it was reported that Fullbrook had been questioned as a witness in an FBI inquiry into alleged electoral bribery in Puerto Rico. Then, this week, he became headline news when it was revealed his Downing Street salary was being paid through his own lobbying firm. The publicity comes at a bad time for Prime Minister Liz Truss who is facing economic turmoil following the Chancellor's mini-budget. So, who is Mark Fullbrook and why do we know so little about him? Mark Coles looks at the life of an influential, yet unheard-of, political figure. Presenter: Mark Coles Producers: Diane Richardson and Matt Toulson Production Co-ordinator: He

As Italians go to the polls it's Giorgia Meloni's right-wing party, Brothers of Italy, that's tipped to lead a centre-right coalition. But what is it about her that appeals so much to her voters? Meloni was born in a working-class neighbourhood of Rome, and got into politics aged 15. She rose through the ranks of her local far-right party, often being sent into schools to counteract left-wing activism. She made history in 2008 when she was appointed Youth Minister by then prime minister, Silvio Berlusconi, becoming Italy's youngest ever minister. Four years later, aged 35, she split from Berlusconi and started her own political party, the Brothers of Italy, where she has been President since 2014. In recent years, Fratelli d'Italia has boosted its appeal and looks set to become the largest party. But with Italy's fast turnover of prime ministers, can Giorgia Meloni stay the course and deliver what Italy wants? CREDITS AP Archive, Fratelli d'Italia rally, Oct 2019. Presenter: Mark Coles Producers: Sally

The new Metropolitan Police Commissioner, Sir Mark Rowley, faces big challenges in his first week in office. The state funeral of Queen Elizabeth II will be at the top of his agenda, but also improving the reputation of the force. The Met was heavily criticised following the murder of Sarah Everard by a serving policeman and the sharing of racist and sexist group chat messages by officers at Charing Cross police station. Public trust in the force was strained even further last week when an unarmed black man, Chris Kaba, was fatally shot in Streatham. Born in Birmingham, Mark Rowley attended Handsworth Grammar School before studying mathematics at Cambridge. After university he joined the West Midlands Police force, rising through the ranks to become the Head of UK Counter Terrorism Policing, overseeing the response to the terrorist attacks in 2017. He retired from the Met in 2018, and co-authored a crime thriller. Now Sir Mark Rowley aims to restore public confidence in the force. So, what kind of leader

Described as “incredibly bright, borderline eccentric and very Thatcherite”, Kwasi Kwarteng has been MP for Spelthorne in Surrey, since 2010. Born in London to Ghanaian parents, Kwasi Kwarteng excelled academically – he was an Eton scholar, got a double first from Cambridge University and a scholarship to Harvard. He’s worked as a newspaper columnist, a financial analyst and has written several books on history and politics. Kwasi Kwarteng is a long-time friend and close political ally of the new Prime Minister, Liz Truss, who’s just promoted him to the top post in the Treasury. At a time of high inflation, rising energy costs and a looming recession. So is he up to the challenge? Mark Coles charts the life and career of the man with one of the most powerful jobs in the UK. Presenter: Mark Coles Production team: Sally Abrahams and Matt Toulson, Maria Ogundele and Helena Warwick-Cross Sound engineer: Rod Farquhar Editor: Richard Vadon Credit: Sky News – Anna Jones interview with Kwasi Kwar

Winner of this year’s Olivier Best Actress Award for her role in the musical Cabaret, now nominated for a Mercury Prize with Bernard Butler for their album, For All Our Days That Tear the Heart. Mark Coles profiles Killarney actress and singer Jessie Buckley, speaking to some of the family, friends and mentors who’ve helped her along the way. Credits • Wild Rose, Universal Pictures, Directed by Tom Harper. • Out to Lunch with Jay Rayner, A Somethin’ Else / Jay Rayner production with Sony Music Entertainment. • Olivier Awards 2022. Presenter: Mark Coles Production team: Julie Ball, Matt Toulson, Diane Richardson and Helena Warwick-Cross Sound: Rod Farquhar Editor: Richard Vadon

Despite finishing second in the vote amongst her Conservative parliamentary colleagues, Liz Truss is seen by many as the favourite to win the leadership contest when party members have their say. But who is the woman bidding to become the UK’s third female Prime Minister? Timandra Harkness follows her unconventional journey in British politics - from child of CND campaigners to preferred candidate of the political right. Presenter: Timandra Harkness Producers: Bob Howard and Ben Cooper

Just seven years after first entering Parliament as Conservative MP for Richmond, North Yorkshire, Rishi Sunak is now one vote away from becoming Prime Minister. From replacing party grandee William Hague to managing the country’s finances through the coronavirus pandemic, Mark Coles follows his journey in British politics and talks to those who know him outside the political world of Westminster. Presenter: Mark Coles Production team: Sally Abrahams, Diane Richardson and Ben Cooper Editor: Richard Vadon

Born in the Netherlands, the England women's football manager had a successful playing career both at home and in the US, before hanging up her boots. Mark Coles tracks her journey from playing alongside boys at the age of six to the England dugout. Presenter: Mark Coles Production team: Sally Abrahams, Diane Richardson and Ben Cooper Editor: Richard Vadon

The new Chancellor who came to the UK as a child refugee, began a business selling Teletubbies merchandise and is now tipped by some to become Prime Minister. Mark Coles charts the meteoric rise to power of the man who's been in the cabinet less than a year. Presenter: Mark Coles Production team: Sally Abrahams and Kirsteen Knight Editor: Richard Vadon

Timandra Harkness tells the story of the the US Supreme Court Justice at the centre of overturning the right to abortion in America. How did he go from poverty in Georgia to highest court in the land? And why did his politics change from campaigning for black rights to anti-affirmative action conservatism?

As national rail strikes disrupt train travel across the UK, what makes RMT leader Mick Lynch tick? And how did he become the leader of one of Britain's most powerful unions? With Mark Coles. Produced by Bob Howard

Kate Bush, whose song Running up that Hill is storming the charts across the world. The singer exploded onto the music scene at the end of the 1970s with Wuthering Heights, the first UK number one song performed and written by a female artist. Kate Bush has experimented throughout her career, sometimes being in the public eye and at other times composing at home while bringing up her son. With Timandra Harkness. Produced by Bob Howard

Johan Lundgren, Chief Executive Officer of Easyjet, one of Europe's biggest airlines. The carrier has been faced customer fury after cancelling hundreds of flights. Johan Lundgren has dealt with extremely trying personal and professional situations at different times in his life. Mark Coles hears about his youthful career ambition - to become a trombonist. Producer: Bob Howard Researcher: Natasha Fernandes Sound: James Beard Production Coordinator: Brenda Brown Editor: Hugh Levinson

What makes Ben Stokes, the New Zealand born poster boy of English cricket and England's new captain tick? He has at times courted controversy but was the hero in England's world cup triumph. With Mark Coles. Produced by Bob Howard

Boris Johnson’s Mr Fixit - a Deputy Chief of Staff - brought in to steady the ship at the height of the "Partygate" allegations. Described as politically astute and determined for the Conservatives to win the next election, Canzini's career in the Tory party began in the 1980s. He's a long-standing Brexiteer who's worked alongside former Conservative leader, William Hague, and is a close ally of the Tories’ election guru, Sir Lynton Crosby. His critics worry he is pushing the Prime Minister further right on things like asylum seekers and trans issues. Mark Coles explores the life and career of the man who goes by the name DC Grumpy on social media, has a profile picture of Darth Vader and once sported a David Cassidy-style haircut. Presenter: Mark Coles Production team: Bob Howard, Natasha Fernandes, Brenda Brown Sound: Graham Puddifoot Editor: Richard Vadon

Jack Monroe rose to fame with her blog 'A Girl Called Jack’, sharing her struggles as a single mum on benefits, with just £10 a week to spend on food. She’s become a best-selling, award-winning writer of cookery books and she campaigns against poverty. A regular on TV and social media, talking benefits and food banks, Jack Monroe has attracted the wrath of some right-wing commentators. She successfully sued former newspaper columnist, Katie Hopkins, for comments made online. Now, she’s threatening legal action against a Conservative MP who’s accused her of profiteering from the poor. Mark Coles finds out what inspires Monroe's love of cooking, how growing up with foster children influenced her outlook and why she’s determined to speak out for the poorest in society. Presenter: Mark Coles Production team: Sally Abrahams, Natasha Fernandes and Janet Staples Sound: Andy Garratt Editor: Richard Vadon