Philippa Thomas (born 22 November 1965) is a former television newsreader and journalist, both domestic and foreign. At the BBC she was a chief news presenter at BBC World News, presenting evening bulletins on BBC News Channel and BBC World News. She was presenter of Coronavirus: Your Stories on BBC World News and the BBC News Channel. She left the BBC in 2021 to become a full-time Executive Coach.[1]
After graduating from university with a double first, Thomas gained a place on the BBC News Trainee scheme. Of the eight in her intake, she was the only woman.[2] Thomas has reported extensively from the United States, South America, Africa, and continental Europe. She was posted as presenter and special correspondent in the BBC Washington bureau from 2007[5] to 2011 where she presented the 22:00 ET edition of World News Today, a one-hour news programme on the BBC World News and BBC News. She also anchored live political coverage, and filmed original features on U.S. politics, economics and culture. Her stories aired on BBC World News, PBS news broadcasts, BBC America's World News America, and BBC Online.
Thomas was a special elections presenter, anchoring rolling news coverage of UK and US elections on BBC World Service and BBC Radio 4. [citation needed]
On 24 July 2021, Thomas presented the BBC One Weekend News Evening and Late bulletins for the first time.[verification needed]
Thomas left the BBC after thirty three years in 2021.
After completing an MSc at the University of East London she was accredited by the Association for Coaching and set up a business as an Executive Coach.
Thomas also sits on the board of the charity UK Music Masters which offers free violin and cello tuition to pupils in state primary schools, and works to boost diversity and inclusion in the UK music sector.[7]
