Laura Goodwin: The Rise of a Trusted Voice in Scottish Broadcasting

Laura Goodwin has become one of the most recognisable and respected faces in Scottish broadcasting. With more than 18 years of experience across radio and television, she has built a reputation for calm authority, editorial depth, and an ability to connect with audiences on both hard news and human stories. Her appointment as a Lead Presenter on BBC Scotland’s flagship programme, Reporting Scotland, marked a significant milestone—not only in her own career, but also in the evolving landscape of public service journalism in the UK.

Who Is Laura Goodwin?

Laura Goodwin is a British broadcast journalist and television presenter currently serving as a Senior Lead Presenter at BBC Scotland. She is best known for her work on Reporting Scotland, where she delivers the day’s most important national stories with credibility and clarity.

Her career spans nearly two decades and includes extensive work in live reporting, studio presentation, investigative journalism, and long-form storytelling.

Laura Goodwin BBC Scotland Career

Joining BBC Scotland

Laura Goodwin joined BBC Scotland in 2018, taking on the role of Innovation Correspondent. In this position, she reported on Scotland’s rapidly evolving business, technology, and academic sectors, translating complex developments into accessible and engaging stories for a broad audience.

Her work as an innovation correspondent showcased her analytical strength, curiosity, and ability to explain emerging ideas without losing journalistic rigour.

Lead Presenter on Reporting Scotland

In May 2025, Laura was officially named a Lead Presenter for Reporting Scotland, BBC Scotland’s most-watched news programme. The appointment followed the departure of long-serving presenter Sally Magnusson and represented a major professional step forward.

As a lead presenter, Laura now anchors the programme on Thursdays and Fridays, sharing duties with fellow presenter Laura Miller. BBC leadership praised her authority, professionalism, and natural presence on the main desk—qualities refined through years of frontline reporting.

Laura Goodwin Age and Early Life

As of May 2025, Laura Goodwin is 43 years old. Her career timeline reflects steady progression rather than sudden prominence, built on experience, credibility, and consistency.

Where Was Laura Goodwin Born?

Laura Goodwin was born in South Africa. She moved to Scotland at the age of 12, a transition that would shape both her personal identity and professional outlook. Growing up in Scotland, she developed a strong connection to the country and its communities—something that continues to be reflected in her journalism today.

Education and Academic Background

She was educated in Scotland and attended Madras College in St Andrews before progressing to higher education.

She later studied Sociology at the University of Edinburgh, an academic foundation that has informed her understanding of social structures, public behaviour, and cultural change—skills that translate naturally into news reporting and analysis.

Laura Goodwin STV Career: Building the Foundations

Before joining the BBC, Laura Goodwin spent over a decade at STV News, primarily based in Aberdeen.

Roles at STV

At STV, Laura worked as a Reporter and Presenter, covering a wide range of stories including:

• Breaking news

• Court reporting

• Community issues

• Features and human-interest stories

Her time at STV was instrumental in developing her on-screen confidence and ability to perform under pressure, particularly during live broadcasts. It was also during this period that she became known for her balanced approach—combining empathy with editorial precision.

Broadcasting Style and Professional Strengths

Laura is widely regarded for:

• Calm, authoritative live presentation

• Strong interviewing skills

• Clear explanation of complex issues

• Ability to balance hard news with human storytelling

Colleagues frequently describe her as professional, composed, and deeply prepared—qualities essential for leading a national news programme.

Laura Goodwin Husband

Laura Goodwin is married to Chris Harvey, a fellow broadcast journalist who works as a Presenter and Reporter at STV Group plc. Their shared professional background in Scottish media has given them a deep understanding of the demands of broadcasting life.

While Laura maintains a professional public profile, she occasionally shares light-hearted glimpses of family life, always maintaining a clear boundary between her journalism and her private world.

Laura Goodwin Wedding

Details of Laura Goodwin’s wedding are kept private, in line with her low-key approach to personal matters. Public posts referencing wedding anniversaries confirm a long-standing marriage, but she has consistently chosen not to place her relationship in the media spotlight.

This discretion has earned her respect as a journalist who values professionalism and boundaries.

Laura Goodwin Twins and Motherhood

She is the mother of twin daughters, and she has openly discussed her experience of IVF and the challenges of balancing family life with a demanding broadcasting career. Her willingness to speak honestly about fertility and parenting has resonated with many viewers, particularly women navigating similar paths.

Her approach remains measured and thoughtful—sharing enough to be relatable, without oversharing.

Public Reputation and Industry Respect

Within BBC Scotland, Laura is seen as part of a new generation of trusted presenters—journalists who combine traditional public-service values with modern storytelling.

Her promotion to lead presenter was widely welcomed by colleagues and audiences alike, reflecting confidence in her ability to represent BBC Scotland at the highest level.

Why Laura Goodwin’s Career Stands Out

What sets Laura apart is not celebrity, but credibility. Her career has been built steadily:

• From local radio

• To regional television at STV

• To national prominence at BBC Scotland

This progression has given her a deep understanding of the communities she serves and the responsibilities that come with a public broadcasting role.

Quick Info

Conclusion

Laura Goodwin represents the best of modern British journalism: informed, composed, and deeply human. At 43, she stands at the peak of a career shaped by experience rather than hype, and her role on Reporting Scotland positions her as a trusted voice in Scottish public life.

As audiences continue to seek reliable, thoughtful news coverage, Laura Goodwin’s presence on BBC Scotland ensures that those standards remain firmly in place.

FAQs

1. Who is Laura Goodwin?

Laura Goodwin is a British broadcast journalist and television presenter. She is a Senior Lead Presenter at BBC Scotland and is best known for anchoring the flagship news programme Reporting Scotland.

2. What is Laura Goodwin’s age?

Laura Goodwin is 43 years old as of May 2025, the time she was appointed as a lead presenter on Reporting Scotland.

3. Where was Laura Goodwin born?

Laura was born in South Africa. She moved to Scotland at the age of 12, where she was educated and later built her entire broadcasting career.

4. Who is Laura Goodwin’s husband?

Laura Goodwin is married to Chris Harvey, a Presenter and Reporter at STV Group plc. Both work in Scottish broadcast journalism, although Laura now works for BBC Scotland while her husband remains at STV.

5. Does Laura Goodwin have twins?

Yes. Laura Goodwin is the mother of twin daughters. She has spoken publicly about motherhood and her experience with IVF, while keeping most family details private.

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