Angela Rippon

Angela Rippon CBE is a distinguished broadcaster and journalist whose expertise in presenting, communication and media spans over five decades. She made history as the BBC's first regular female national television newsreader in the 1970s and has since presented programmes including Rip Off Britain, Top Gear, Holiday and The Antiques Roadshow. Appointed CBE in 2017 for her services to dementia care, she co-chairs the Government's Dementia Friendly Communities Champion Group and champions healthy ageing through her advocacy work. Angela equips audiences with insights on media trust, ageing positively and navigating long careers with resilience, drawing from her own experience to inspire confidence and meaningful conversation across generations and sectors.

When Angela Rippon walked into the BBC newsroom in 1975 and took her place as the corporation's first regular female national television newsreader, she changed the face of British broadcasting. That milestone, achieved in an era when women were rarely seen in such authoritative roles, marked the beginning of a career that would span more than five decades and touch every corner of the television landscape. From serious journalism to entertainment, travel to consumer affairs, she has remained a trusted and recognisable presence across generations, adapting with grace and skill to the evolving demands of the medium.

Her professional range is remarkable. Angela has presented programmes as diverse as Top Gear, Rip Off Britain, Holiday, Come Dancing, The Antiques Roadshow, and How to Stay Young, moving effortlessly between factual storytelling and lighter formats. In 2023, she became a contestant on Strictly Come Dancing, a decision that sparked national conversation about age, visibility, and representation in the media. Her performance resonated far beyond the dancefloor, challenging outdated assumptions and proving that talent and charisma are ageless. In 2026, she returns to travel television as the presenter of Angela Rippon's River Cruises, continuing to explore new territory with the same curiosity and professionalism that have defined her work. Appointed CBE in 2017 for her services to dementia care, Angela co-chairs the Government's Dementia Friendly Communities Champion Group and has been a vocal advocate for healthy ageing and improved public understanding of dementia. She is also a published author, with books covering travel, health, and her own experiences in the industry.

Angela works with organisations and audiences to explore the power of communication, the importance of trust in media, and the realities of sustaining a long and varied career. Her keynote speeches and event hosting draw on decades of live broadcasting experience, offering practical insight into resilience, adaptability, and remaining relevant across changing cultural landscapes. She speaks with authority on ageing positively, challenging stereotypes, and navigating public life with authenticity. Audiences leave her sessions with a renewed sense of possibility, equipped not only with her perspective on the media and society, but with the confidence to approach their own challenges with energy and purpose.