Katie Roberts: Inside the Career of a Senior Journalist Shaping BBC Breakfast and News at One

Katie Roberts is a respected Senior Journalist working at the heart of British public broadcasting. Based in London, United Kingdom, she is a key member of the planning team for BBC Breakfast and News at One, contributing daily to programmes watched by millions across the UK. Her work focuses on people-led journalism, exclusive storytelling, and the delivery of complex stories with clarity, balance, and sensitivity.

With a background that blends journalism excellence and scientific training, Katie Roberts represents a modern generation of BBC journalists who combine editorial rigour with strong audience awareness.

Katie Roberts at the BBC

Senior Journalist, BBC Breakfast and News at One

Since March 2024, Katie Roberts has served as a Senior Journalist at BBC News, working on the planning desk for two of the BBC’s most influential news programmes. In this role, she plans and produces daily output, secures contributors, and organises live guests for broadcasts reaching over six million viewers every day of the year.

Her responsibilities include coordinating exclusive interviews, developing feature-length packages, and overseeing live outside broadcasts. Katie’s experience on the ground, both in the UK and abroad, enables her to manage high-pressure editorial situations while maintaining the BBC’s standards of accuracy and impartiality.

Katie Roberts’ Journey at BBC Breakfast

Broadcast Journalist Experience

Before stepping into her senior position, Katie Roberts worked as a Broadcast Journalist at BBC Breakfast from January 2022, gaining extensive experience in national news production. During this time, she contributed to daily editorial decisions, supported live broadcasts, and helped shape people-focused stories that resonate with audiences across the country.

Her progression within the BBC reflects a strong editorial instinct, reliability under pressure, and a deep understanding of live television news.

Career Before the BBC: Building a Strong Editorial Foundation

ITN, ITV News, and Channel 5 News

Prior to joining the BBC, Katie Roberts worked at ITN as an Assistant News Editor for ITV News and Channel 5 News. Between 2020 and 2021, she played a vital role in securing interviews, researching live guests, managing broadcast crews, and prioritising editorial tasks in a fast-paced newsroom environment.

This period sharpened her ability to make quick editorial decisions, manage multiple workflows, and support senior editors during breaking news.

Freelance Journalism and Independent Reporting

Radio, Digital, and Multimedia Journalism

Alongside her broadcast career, Katie Roberts has worked extensively as a freelance broadcast journalist and newsreader. She has written and presented bulletins for national and local radio, with content aired across hundreds of stations in the UK and internationally.

She is also the co-founder of Cuttlefish Media, a multimedia journalism platform where she produced original video, audio, and online content, covering diverse and exclusive stories. This entrepreneurial experience strengthened her digital storytelling skills and broadened her editorial perspective.

Election Reporting and Live Coverage

Sky News General Election Reporting

In 2019, Katie Roberts worked as a freelance Election Reporter for Sky News. Reporting live from the General Election count in Anglesey, she managed on-location broadcasting, delivered real-time results, and provided social media updates throughout the night. This role highlighted her confidence in live reporting and her ability to handle complex political coverage under time pressure.

Education and Academic Excellence

University of Sheffield and UCL

Katie Roberts holds an MA in Broadcast Journalism from The University of Sheffield, where she graduated with distinction. Her studies included Media Law, Public Affairs, and intensive newsroom training, alongside achieving an NCTJ shorthand qualification at 100 words per minute.

She also earned a First Class BSc in Human Sciences from University College London. This interdisciplinary degree covered life sciences, global health, politics, and social research, providing her with strong analytical skills and scientific literacy that enhance her journalism, particularly in health and social affairs reporting.

J. Schofield Trust Fellowship

In 2024, Katie Roberts was selected as a J. Schofield Trust Fellow, a prestigious recognition awarded to journalists showing exceptional potential and leadership. The fellowship reflects her professional credibility within the UK media industry and her commitment to high-quality public interest journalism.

Personal Profile and Professional Ethos

London-Based BBC Journalist

Katie Roberts is based in London, England, and joined X (formerly Twitter) in June 2017, where she maintains a professional presence focused on journalism rather than personal life. Like many BBC journalists, she keeps her private life out of the public domain, choosing to let her work speak for itself.

Quick Infor

Why Katie Roberts Matters in British Journalism

Katie Roberts has built a career defined by editorial integrity, versatility, and dedication to public service broadcasting. From planning daily national news at BBC Breakfast to producing sensitive, people-focused stories, she plays a crucial role in shaping how millions of viewers understand the world each day.

Her blend of newsroom leadership, live broadcasting experience, and academic strength positions her as one of the most capable and trusted journalists working behind the scenes at the BBC today.

FAQs

1. Who is Katie Roberts?

Katie Roberts is a Senior Journalist at BBC Breakfast and BBC News, working on the planning team for national television news programmes. She is responsible for developing people-focused stories, securing contributors, and producing live output for audiences across the United Kingdom.

2. What is Katie Roberts’ role at BBC Breakfast?

Katie Roberts works as a Senior Journalist on the planning desk at BBC Breakfast and News at One. Her role includes planning daily news coverage, producing feature-length packages, organising live guests, and supporting broadcasts watched by more than six million viewers each day.

3. What is Katie Roberts’ educational background?

Katie Roberts holds an MA in Broadcast Journalism from The University of Sheffield, where she graduated with distinction. She also earned a First Class BSc in Human Sciences from University College London (UCL), giving her a strong academic foundation in science, health, and social research alongside journalism.

4. Has Katie Roberts worked for other news organisations?

Yes. Before joining the BBC, Katie Roberts worked at ITN, contributing to ITV News and Channel 5 News, and has also freelanced for radio and television outlets, including election reporting for Sky News. These roles helped shape her experience in live broadcasting and newsroom leadership.

5. Is Katie Roberts married or has she shared details about her personal life?

Katie Roberts keeps her personal life private. There is no publicly confirmed information about her marital status or relationships, which is common for journalists working in editorial and planning roles rather than on-screen presenting positions.

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