Rianna Croxford: A Trailblazing Investigations Correspondent at BBC News
Few young journalists have carved out a reputation as quickly and decisively as Rianna Croxford. An award-winning Investigations Correspondent at BBC News, she has become known for her fearless approach to exposing wrongdoing, handling sensitive information, and elevating voices that often go unheard. With a career spanning print, radio, television, and podcasts, she represents a new generation of investigative reporters who adapt seamlessly across media platforms. This article explores her life, career, education, achievements, and personal milestones, providing a comprehensive portrait of one of Britain’s most influential journalists.
Early Life and Education
Academic Foundations at Cambridge
Rianna Croxford studied English Literature at the University of Cambridge, where she achieved a 2.1 degree. While at Cambridge, she immersed herself in student life: she served as Head of CU-TV (Cambridge University Television), engaged with Trinity Hall’s Politics Society, represented student access initiatives, and was active in FLY, a network for women of colour at the university. These experiences not only sharpened her communication skills but also demonstrated her leadership abilities and commitment to improving representation.
Journalism Training
Following Cambridge, she pursued professional training through the National Council for the Training of Journalists (NCTJ), gaining her News Reporting qualification in 2018. This certification cemented her technical skills in reporting, media law, and ethics — crucial foundations for her later investigations.
Early Career in Journalism
PA Media and the Financial Times
Rianna’s early professional roles included working as a journalist for PA Media before joining the Financial Times in 2018. At the FT, she reported on politics and current affairs, including by-elections and Brexit developments. Covering high-stakes political stories so early in her career allowed her to develop the sharp instincts and fast-paced reporting style that would become her hallmark.
Joining BBC News
In 2018, she moved into broadcast journalism at BBC News. Initially part of the Radio Newsroom, she wrote and produced bulletins for national stations. She also contributed to flagship programmes like Radio 4’s The World at One, PM, and Broadcasting House. This period gave her invaluable experience in shaping news output for millions of listeners.
Rising Through the BBC
Investigative Reporter and Panorama
By 2020, Rianna Croxford had begun to distinguish herself with original investigations. One notable early assignment was her work for BBC Panorama, where she investigated the death of transport worker Belly Mujinga, whose case prompted widespread public concern and calls for inquiry. Her reporting was shortlisted at the British Journalism Awards, underlining her growing reputation.
Community Affairs Correspondent
Also in 2020, she was appointed Community Affairs Correspondent. In this role, she led the BBC’s coverage of issues affecting diverse communities in the UK. Her stories shed light on how ethnic minority groups were disproportionately affected by the COVID-19 pandemic, sparking national debate and policy responses.
Washington Correspondent
In 2022, Croxford reported from Washington, D.C., covering landmark moments such as the US Supreme Court’s decision to overturn Roe v. Wade, the January 6th hearings into the Capitol riots, and major gun violence tragedies in Texas and Illinois. This international experience broadened her scope as a correspondent and demonstrated her ability to deliver live coverage under pressure.
Current Role: Investigations Correspondent at BBC News
Since March 2020, Rianna has worked as an Investigations Correspondent for BBC News and Current Affairs, contributing to programmes across the network — from BBC News at Six and Ten to Radio 4 Today, BBC Breakfast, World Service, and BBC Online.
Her work often involves long-term, complex investigations that require managing confidential sources and handling highly sensitive subject matter. She has become a trusted figure for whistleblowers and survivors seeking to share their stories responsibly.
Landmark Investigation: The Abercrombie Guys
Perhaps her most impactful project to date has been The Abercrombie Guys.
-
Origins: In 2022, Rianna noticed social media posts by male models suggesting their experiences of abuse were not being heard. She contacted one of them, Barrett Pall, who disclosed a troubling story that sparked a two-year investigation.
-
Findings: Working with survivors including David Bradberry and others, she uncovered a global operation linked to former Abercrombie & Fitch CEO Mike Jeffries and his partner Matthew Smith. Young men were allegedly recruited, flown to luxury events, and subjected to exploitation.
-
Impact: Her reporting for the BBC Panorama documentary The Abercrombie Guys: The Dark Side of Cool and the companion World of Secrets podcast triggered an FBI investigation, leading to criminal charges against Jeffries, Smith, and an associate.
This investigation not only exposed systemic abuse but also highlighted the importance of listening to male survivors of exploitation, whose experiences are too often dismissed.
Awards and Recognition
Rianna Croxford’s work has been widely celebrated:
-
Women in Journalism Awards (2025): Won Rising Star of the Year for her ground-breaking Abercrombie investigation.
-
Publisher Podcast Awards (2025): Won Best Limited Series for The Abercrombie Guys.
-
British Journalism Awards (2024): Recognised in multiple categories including Best Crime and Legal Journalism and Social Affairs Journalism.
-
Association for International Broadcasting (2024): Commended for Best Audio Investigation.
-
Orwell Prize Finalist (2022): For exposing Britain’s social evils.
-
Forbes 30 Under 30 (2022): Honoured in the Europe Media and Marketing list.
-
Earlier Awards: NCTJ News Journalist of the Year (2019), BBC Rising Star (2019), MHP 30 to Watch (2020), and New Journalist of the Year at the British Journalism Awards (2020).
These accolades confirm her as one of the most respected investigative journalists of her generation.
Personal Life
Rianna Croxford Age
Born in 1994, Rianna turned 30 in 2024, marking her as one of the youngest correspondents to achieve such recognition in British journalism.
Wedding and Husband
In 2024, Rianna married her partner Josh Bee, with a wedding celebration held at Rossino Castle, Lake Como. Wedding vendors and her own posts have confirmed the marriage, with Rianna describing it as the highlight of her year. This personal milestone reflects a rare glimpse into her otherwise professionally focused public profile.
Rianna Croxford and Wikipedia
Interestingly, despite her high profile, Rianna Croxford does not yet have a dedicated Wikipedia page. She is cited on pages relating to her investigations, but her biography remains absent from the platform. Given her achievements and public interest, it is likely only a matter of time before such a page exists.
Legacy and Influence
Diversity and Representation
Throughout her career, Croxford has emphasised the importance of diversity in newsrooms — not just as a moral imperative but as a practical one, ensuring journalism reflects and serves all sections of society.
Advice to Aspiring Journalists
She has often advised younger reporters to maintain professionalism on social media, to be adaptable across platforms, and to remain steadfast in their pursuit of accuracy and fairness.
Professional Ethos
Her work underscores a commitment to exposing abuse of power, giving survivors a platform, and holding institutions accountable. She combines empathy with forensic attention to evidence — a hallmark of world-class investigative reporting.
Conclusion
Rianna Croxford embodies the qualities of modern investigative journalism: courage, adaptability, and integrity. From Cambridge graduate to award-winning Investigations Correspondent at BBC News, she has built an extraordinary career before the age of 31. Her groundbreaking investigations into Abercrombie & Fitch’s leadership, her recognition by Forbes and multiple journalism bodies, and her personal milestone of marriage in 2024 all highlight a young professional at the top of her field.
With each story, she not only informs the public but also drives change, making her one of the most significant journalistic voices of her generation.
