John Pienaar

BBC’s Senior Political Correspondent: John Pienaar - Described as ‘a political heavyweight with huge credibility in the Westminster area’ by the radio 5 live controller. John features regularly on television news and as a radio voice on the award winning breakfast programme. John establishes his meanings from the whirlwind of government spin, making him an ideal after dinner and keynote political speaker with his adaptable nature.

John Pienaar initially trained at the South London Press, writing about whatever passed by his doorstep including urban crime, sex, drugs and rock’n’roll. John’s varied career even led to him writing an angling column without ever holding a fishing rod in his life.

John became Political Correspondent for the independent in 1986. As part of late Tony Bevin’s original team, John penned the cutting and often the controversial parliamentary sketch, the Westminster Diary.

John is an experienced event and conference host as well as a captivating keynote and after dinner speaker. John’s extensive career enables him to talk incisively about Westminster politics due to his years of experience in varying sectors, making him a highly respected political speaker.