For over a decade Steph McGovern has reported on business and finance from around the world; from international summits to small business success stories. She is an established part of the BBC Breakfast team, covering business developments daily, and also regularly taking to the sofa as main co-host.
Steph’s Breakfast duties include meeting first-hand those on Britain’s business frontline. Speaking to factory workers and FTSE 100 CEOs, Steph’s mission is to uncover and explain what’s going on in the real economy.
During the financial crash Steph was the lead producer of financial news, working with then Business Editor Robert Peston at the forefront of the award-winning coverage of the credit crunch and banking crisis. She soon began broadcasting herself, and Steph has presented on 5Live, Radio 4 and on the Chris Evans show on Radio 2.
Taking business away from news coverage Steph launched her own CBBC show looking for the next generation of entrepreneurs, Pocket Money Pitch. In Made in Great Britain she joined 21st century makers exploring the skills and industries that built the nation in years gone by.
She is also the co-host of the BBC One show Shop Well For Less and the consumer rights institution Watchdog. And as well as appearing as a guest, Steph has also hosted Have I Got News For You.
Off-screen Steph is also involved in BBC community projects such as BBC Outreach and BBC School Report. She is a mentor for young people in her native Teesside and regularly runs workshops for schoolchildren around the North East, as well as being active in areas around education and apprenticeships. A former champion Irish dancer she still keeps her foot in, often attending international competitions, where she helps to coach dancers.
During her session, Steph will talk about how she went from working as an apprentice engineer at Black & Decker in Durham to becoming an award-winning financial journalist and BBC household name. Having broadcast from over 600 organisations around the country, Steph will explain what she thinks it takes to run a good business and how to weather the economic and political storm.
On top of this Steph will be talking about why we need to value skills more in the UK and the importance of vocational training. Plus, what she has learnt from some of her biggest interviews, which includes President Trump.
Steph will be speaking as part of Women in Health & Safety in the Keynote Theatre on the opening day of the show.
Recent research has shown that women in leadership positions within health and safety show lower levels of innovation, confidence and risk-taking compared to their male counterparts. This is linked to lower levels of confidence and creative thinking.
Guest speaker, Ruth Denyer, Group Risk Director at ITV, will explore the issue. An accomplished leader in Risk, she will share what’s worked for her and offer advice for others in, or aspiring to be in, similar leadership positions. She will touch on:
Following this guest talk, the incumbent Women in Health and Safety Chairperson, Dr Judith Grant, will introduce the committee and outline aims for the year ahead, including ways in which everyone can get involved.
Following the keynote session, the Women in Health and Safety network will lead a ‘speed networking’ session in the Networking Forum, which everyone is invited to.
Women in Health and Safety is a network of people who support gender equality and want to see women flourish in the profession. The network encourages male and female members to join.
This all begins with Steph’s Inspirational Speaker slot in the Keynote Theatre at 11:30am on Tuesday 18 June. She will be joined at the show by fellow Inspirational Speakers, Jonny Wilkinson and ‘Eddie the Eagle’.
To register for your free ticket, click on the link below.
