Robert Peston facts for kids

Quick facts for kids The Honourable Robert Peston
Peston in February 2014
Born	(1960-04-25) 25 April 1960 (age 65)
Education	Balliol College, Oxford Université Libre de Bruxelles
Occupation	Journalist presenter author
Spouse(s)	Siân Busby ​ ​ (m. 1998; died 2012)​
Children	1
Relatives	Maurice Peston (father)

Robert James Kenneth Peston (born 25 April 1960) is a well-known English journalist and TV presenter. He is the Political Editor for ITV News, which means his job is to report on everything happening in British politics. He also hosts his own weekly political show called Peston.

For many years, he worked at BBC News, where he was the Business Editor and later the Economics Editor. He became famous across the country for his reporting on the 2008 financial crisis. He was often the first to break big news stories, like the problems at the Northern Rock bank. He also started a charity called Speakers for Schools, which helps interesting people give free talks at state schools.

Early Life and Education

Robert Peston was born in London on 25 April 1960 into a Jewish family. His father, Maurice Peston, was an economist and a member of the House of Lords for the Labour Party. Because his father was a baron, Robert has the right to be called "The Honourable," but he chooses not to use this title.

He went to Highgate Wood Secondary School, a state school in London. After finishing school, he studied philosophy, politics, and economics at Balliol College, Oxford, and also spent time studying at the Université libre de Bruxelles in Belgium.

Career in Journalism

Peston with a film crew at the 2016 Labour Party Conference in Liverpool.

Newspaper Journalist

Peston began his career as a journalist in 1983. He worked for several major newspapers, including The Independent and the Financial Times. At the Financial Times, he held important roles like Political Editor and Banking Editor. He was known for asking tough questions and uncovering important stories. After leaving the Financial Times, he worked for other newspapers like The Daily Telegraph and The Sunday Times.

Move to the BBC

In 2005, Peston joined the BBC as its Business Editor. His job was to explain business and money news on TV, radio, and online. He became very well-known during the 2008 financial crisis. He often had "scoops," which are exclusive stories that no other journalist has.

One of his biggest scoops was reporting that the bank HBOS was in talks to merge with Lloyds TSB. This news had a huge impact on the stock market. His reporting during this time made him one of the most famous journalists in the UK.

Joining ITV News

Peston reporting for the BBC in 2009.

After nearly ten years at the BBC, Peston moved to ITV News in 2015 to become its Political Editor. In this role, he reports on the Prime Minister, the government, and Parliament.

Soon after joining ITV, he got a major interview with the Prime Minister at the time, David Cameron. He also started hosting his own weekly politics show, which began as Peston on Sunday and is now simply called Peston.

Awards and Recognition

Peston has won many awards for his journalism.

• For his reporting on the financial crisis, the Royal Television Society named him "Specialist Journalist of the Year" and "Television Journalist of the Year" in 2009.
• His story about the HBOS and Lloyds TSB merger won "Scoop of the Year."
• He has received honorary degrees from Heriot-Watt University and Aberystwyth University for his work in journalism.

Books by Robert Peston

Peston has written several non-fiction books and one novel.

• Brown's Britain (2005): A book about Gordon Brown, who was the Chancellor and later Prime Minister.
• Who Runs Britain? (2008): This book explores how very wealthy people influence life in the UK.
• How Do We Fix This Mess? (2012): Peston discusses the economy and how to improve it.
• ... ? (2017): This book looks at the reasons behind the Brexit vote in 2016.
• Whistleblower (2021): His first fictional novel, about a political journalist.
• How To Run Britain (2024): A book he co-wrote with Kishan Koria about the state of the country.

Personal Life

Peston in June 2007.

Peston married the writer Siân Busby in 1998. They had known each other as teenagers and had one son together. Sadly, Siân died from lung cancer in 2012.

Peston lives in London. He is the singer in a band called Centrist Dad, which also includes broadcaster John Wilson on bass guitar and former politician Ed Balls on drums.

Filmography

Peston has presented many TV shows and documentaries, mostly about economics and politics.

See also

• Courtesy titles in the United Kingdom#Courtesy prefix of "The Honourable"