Profile

The rags to riches story of the billionaire brothers from Blackburn, Lancashire who have grown their business from a single petrol station in 2001 to a global empire of six thousand garage forecourts in less than twenty years. Notoriously private, the brothers became national news last year after buying the supermarket giant, Asda. Last week they added the fast-food chain, Leon, to their portfolio. And now they’re rumoured to have their eye on Caffé Nero. Talking to family, friends and business associates, Mark Coles discovers how different the brothers are, what fuels their passion for petrol stations and how they cope with media attention. Presenter: Mark Coles Producer: Sally Abrahams Editor: Richard Vadon

Chief Constable of the Police Service of Northern Ireland - who's facing calls to resign over the policing of a republican funeral during the pandemic, sparking violent disorder and protests.Simon Byrne, who's 57, is a policeman through and through. He joined the Metropolitan police as a teenager, straight out of school. Rising through the ranks, he took on senior roles in Merseyside, Manchester, London and Cheshire. He's now head of police in Northern Ireland, a post which many regard as the most difficult policing job in the UK, if not the world. Less than two years in post, and with the added challenges of Covid-19 and Brexit, Simon Byrne finds himself in a situation where policing and politics have collided.Becky Milligan talks to friends and colleagues about the man with a reputation for getting things done, a love of steam trains and a commitment to public service.Researcher: Stefania Okereke Producer: Sally Abrahams Editor: Richard Vadon

The billionaire banker whose finance firm has collapsed and who is now at the centre of a lobbying scandal involving ex-Prime Minister, David Cameron. Alexander "Lex" Greensill, grew up on his family’s sugar cane and melon farm in Queensland, Australia. After moving to the UK, he went into investment banking, founded a supply chain finance empire - complete with private jets - and, under David Cameron, secured a role in Britain’s Conservative-led Coalition government. After leaving office, the ex-PM became an adviser to the firm – Greensill Capital - which went bust last month, putting at risk 50,000 jobs worldwide. Mark Coles charts the rise and fall of the farmer’s son who, so the story goes, began his finance company to help small firms get paid more quickly by big businesses.Researchers: Matt Murphy and Stefania Okereke Producer: Sally Abrahams Editor: Richard Vadon

Emerald Fennell is the first British woman to be nominated for an Academy Award for Best Director. The film, that she also wrote - 'Promising Young Woman' - has been called a 'revenge-comedy', a movie for the #MeToo era. Fennell's rise has been meteoric - showrunner for the second series of 'Killing Eve', she's also well-known for her roles in front of the camera, including her portrayal of the Duchess of Cornwall, Camilla Parker Bowles, in 'The Crown'. Becky Milligan tells the story of a prolific and multi-talented young woman. Presenter: Becky Milligan Researchers: Matt Murphy and Stefania Okereke Studio manager: Rod Farquhar Programme co-ordinator: Janet Staples Producer: Linda Pressly Editor: Richard Vadon

AstraZeneca's CEO faces scrutiny as his company's vaccine, and its roll out, comes under fire. Mark Coles explores the life and career one of big pharma's biggest names. The oldest of four boys, Pascal Soriot grew up in a working class area of Paris. He took the helm at AZ in 2012 after years in top jobs across the world. One of his first challenges was to fight off a takeover from Pfizer. The AZ vaccine, currently not-for-profit, was hailed as a life saver for millions. But with accusations of confusing drug trial data, dishonest dealings with the EU and safety fears, has the AstraZeneca CEO lost his shine? Presenter: Mark Coles Researcher: Matt Murphy Studio manager: Graham Puddifoot Programme co-ordinator: Janet Staples Producer: Linda Pressly Editor: Rosamund Jones

Journalist, controversialist, celebrity - Mark Coles explores the explosive career of Piers Morgan, one of the country's youngest-ever and best-known newspaper editors. In the spotlight, again, this time for storming off the set of ITV's "Good Morning Britain", colleagues, competitors, friends and foes detail a roller-coaster career. If it started with a desire to report from behind the headlines, as years passed he has all too frequently become their subject. Presenter: Mark Coles Researcher: Matt Murphy Production co-ordinator: Janet Staples Studio manager: Rod Farquhar Editor: Rosamund Jones:

The attorney general of Minnesota is the lead prosecutor in the trial for murder of George Floyd who died in May last year. His death became front page news after a video showed a white police officer kneeling on his neck for nearly nine minutes. It sparked massive civil unrest and forced a wider debate about law enforcement and racial inequality. Keith Ellison's role in the trial which started this week will be closely watched. He was born in Detroit in 1963, one of five brothers to parents with high expectations and a strong sense of social justice. As a young law student he became involved in community activism, a path which led to his election to Congress in 2006, the first muslim to achieve that. Becky Milligan talks to his family and friends. Producer: Sally Abrahams Researchers: Maia Lowerson & Matt Murphy Studio manager: Graham Puddifoot Production co-ordinator: Janet Staples Editor: Rosamund Jones

The former dentist who’s just become the new leader of Scottish Labour. Anas' childhood was infused with politics - his father became the UK's first muslim MP and his mother devoted a great deal of time to activism and campaigning. But that came at a cost. The family endured racist threats while he was growing up. Now a lot rests on his shoulders. With only nine weeks until the Holyrood elections, can he turn round the party's fortunes in Scotland and in so doing change the make-up of Westminster politics too? Mark Coles explores his life and career. Producer: Sally Abrahams Researcher: Maia Lowerson Studio manager: Neil Churchill Editor: Rosamund Jones

Carrie Symonds is Boris Johnson's fiancee and the mother of his baby. She is a also a former special advisor, committed animal rights activist and Brexit supporter. And, not that long ago, she was director of communications for the Conservative Party. It's that political experience that has fuelled questions about how much influence she has over decisions made in Downing Street. The Bow Group think tank this week called for an inquiry into her role. Mark Coles profiles the woman who has been making waves, and headlines, in recent weeks. Producer: Simon MaybinResearcher: Maia LowersonEditor: Rosamund JonesStudio manager: Graham Puddifoot Production co-ordinator: Aretha Holmes

Dr Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala's journey to head the World Trade Organisation has been particularly note-worthy. She is the first woman and the first African to hold the position. A trained economist, she was at the World Bank during the financial crisis and, as Nigeria’s finance minister, she faced down corruption. It's not just her career that sets her apart. As a child she lived through the Biafran War. Years later she faced another crisis: the kidnapping of her elderly mother. But her friends say she does find time for a laugh and the occasional boogie. Becky Milligan hears about her fascinating life and career from close family, friends and colleagues.Producer: Ben Crighton Researcher: Maia Lowerson Studio manager: Rod Farquhar Production co-ordinator: Janet Staples Editor: Rosamund Jones

David Martindale joined Livingston FC as a volunteer six years ago, picking up bibs and cones after training sessions. Now he is managing a team that's about to play in the Scottish League Cup Final.It has been an unconventional and bumpy rise to the top. Martindale went to jail in 2006, doing time for his involvement in organised crime, Mark Coles talks to his family, friends and football colleagues about his past, his leadership style and what the future may hold. Will his chequered history thwart his ambition? Producer: Beth Sagar-FentonResearcher: Maia LowersonEditor: Rosamund JonesProduction Co-ordinator: Janet StaplesStudio Manager: Rod Farquhar

The first female british chef to win 3 Michelin stars at her own restaurant hails from a farm in County Antrim. Mark Coles talks to those who know Clare Smyth well - at home and in the kitchen - including legendary chefs Alain Ducasse and Angela Hartnett. Clare Smyth left Northern Ireland to train in England at just 16 and has gone her own way ever since. A protegee of some of the world's best known chefs, she ran Gordon Ramsay's flagship restaurant before setting up her own, Core, just three years ago. She says she's now reached the pinnacle of any chef's career - but food critic Jay Rayner questions why this milestone has been so long coming. Presenter: Mark Coles Researcher: Maia Lowerson Producer: Beth Sagar-Fenton Editor: Rosamund Jones

Danish billionaire Anders Holch Povlsen is the biggest private landowner in Scotland and the biggest private shareholder in ASOS, the online fashion company that is in talks to buy Topshop. Having cut his teeth in the family fashion business, Bestseller, and following a series of canny investments, Anders Povlsen has more recently become known for his ambitious plans to ‘rewild’ large areas of Scotland To that end he has bought up hundreds of thousands of acres, now owning more land there than the Queen. He is determined to transform the landscape, turning it back into forest, through sometimes controversial means.After kidnap attempts and family tragedy he has gained a reputation as a man of extreme privacy. So just who is Anders Holch Povlsen? Mark Coles tries find out the secrets of the eco-conscious online fashion supremo and CEO.Producer: May Cameron Researchers: Maia Lowerson & Beth Sagar-Fenton Editor: Rosamund Jones Mix: Nigel Appleton Production Co-ordinator: Janet Staples

Welsh screenwriter and television producer Russell T Davies has been entertaining the country for decades. From his ground-breaking series Queer as Folk to the revamped Doctor Who – his new series for Channel 4 - It’s a Sin - focuses on the 1980s AIDS crisis. The son of two teachers, Davies grew up loving drama and drawing cartoons - early indications of creativity that have served him well ever since. Mark Coles speaks to family and friends to find out more about one of the TV industry's most respected, and at times controversial, writers. Producer: Ben Crighton Researchers: Maia Lowerson and May Cameron Production Coordinator: Janet Staples Studio manager: Rod Farquhar Editor: Rosamund Jones

Nadhim Zahawi began life as a Kurdish refugee, fleeing to the UK when he was nine years old. A businessman with an eclectic portfolio, he co-founded pollsters YouGov in 2000 before becoming a Conservative MP in 2010. Now a Minister with one of the most pressing jobs in Government, who is the man responsible for England’s Covid-19 vaccination programme? Mark Coles speaks to friends and colleagues to find out. Producer: Beth Sagar-Fenton Researchers: Maia Lowerson and May Cameron Production Coordinator: Janet Staples Mix: Rod Farquhar Editor: Rosamund Jones

The legendary make-up artist has just become the first in her industry to be made a Dame. Growing up in Northampton without industry contacts or formal training, Pat McGrath taught herself the techniques that have made her one of the most in-demand names in fashion. If you can name a designer label, she's probably worked for them, and now runs her own billion-dollar business. Supermodels, colleagues and friends tell Becky Milligan why she's had such a huge impact. Pat McGrath met Kim Bowen at the Wag Club and not the Blitz Club as is suggested at the beginning of this programme. Producer: Sharon Hemans Researcher: Beth Sagar-Fenton Production Coordinator: Janet Staples Mix: Neil Churchill Editor: Rosamund Jones

Tennis star Naomi Osaka had a massive year in 2020, becoming the highest earning sportswoman ever, and protesting police violence against black Americans in both her private and professional life. Born in Japan, she's spent most of her life in the US. This year she's set to light up the Tokyo Olympics as one of the stars of the games. What else lies ahead for Naomi Osaka? We hear from those closest to her including her coach and manager, and feature an exclusive interview with campaigner and tennis legend Billie Jean King.Presenter: Mark Coles Producer: Beth Sagar-Fenton Editor: Rosamund Jones Mix: Rod Farquhar

The creator of Mrs Brown's Boys has had a bumpy ride to stardom. Becky Milligan charts the journey - born the youngest of 11 children in Dublin, he faced bankruptcy and serial disappointments before finding success as the the matriarch of his very own family sitcom. This year it returns - for the 10th consecutive year - to our TV screens over Christmas. Producer: Ben Crighton Editor: Rosamund Jones

The academy award winning actor’s latest film, Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom, is one of the first big budget releases since the pandemic closed cinemas. Viola Davis is the first black actor to win an Oscar, Emmy and Tony award – a triple crown of the most prestigious awards in film, television and theatre. Born on her grandmother’s farm, a former slave plantation in South Carolina. Davis was raised on the East Coast – in Providence, Rhode Island. As a child growing up in poverty, acting became a means of escape.After a decades-long career as a respected theatre actor, she was propelled to international attention in 2008, when she was nominated for an Oscar for her performance in a single scene; alongside Meryl Streep in the film Doubt. Since then, she’s starred in a great many films and TV series; becoming widely recognised as one of the greatest actors of stage and screen this century. Becky Milligan explores her life and career and talks to her sister, Deloris, to find out what motivates an actor whose meteoric

After a 30 year career of quiet public service, Dr June Raine has found herself in the spotlight when the UK became the first country to approve the Pfizer/BioNTech vaccine. As the head of the MHRA she has ultimate responsibility for the process of approving any new Covid-19 vaccines in the UK, and when the eminent American immunologist Dr Anthony Fauci cast doubt over the speed of UK's approval process Dr Raine was forced to make a public response. Becky Milligan finds out more about her life, character and career.Producers: Viv Jones, Ben Crighton Editor: Rosamund Jones