Available to book
John Pienaar
Politics
Communication
Crisis Management
Gain political insights with John Pienaar, speaker and Times Radio host. John works with organisations to deliver compelling political analysis and media expertise, drawing from his distinguished career as former BBC Deputy Political Editor.
Journalist
Broadcaster
BBC
John Pienaar, former Deputy Political Editor at the BBC, now hosts the "Drive" show and "Pienaar and Friends" on Times Radio.
He is a reporter known for his ability to navigate political discourse.
Previously, he presented "Pienaar’s Politics", a weekly round-up on Radio 5Live.
His career began at the South London Press, where he covered a range of local stories, including crime, sport, and council issues.
He later became an Old Bailey Correspondent and wrote an angling column, despite not being a fisherman.
John is familiar to television audiences for his extensive reporting outside 10 Downing Street.
In his after-dinner talks, he shares insights from his experiences covering politics and politicians.
Book John Pienaar to gain unparalleled insights into political discourse. His sharp wit and extensive experience will engage your team, offering a unique perspective on navigating complexities. With his ability to cut through the noise, John will inspire and provoke thought, making your event memorable and impactful.
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frequently asked questions
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Email john.pienaar@getapeptalk.com or call PepTalk on +44 20 3835 2929 (UK) or +1 737 888 5112 (US), and one of our speaker agents will contact you within hours to confirm John's availability and fees. If you can, please include your budget upfront – it helps us fast-track your request. It’s also helpful to know the date, format (virtual or in-person), location, and a bit about your audience.
John Pienaar draws on decades of frontline political reporting to structure his after-dinner talks, sharing first-hand accounts from his time covering Westminster and 10 Downing Street.
John Pienaar speaks on politics, government, and political communication, drawing on his career covering Westminster, the courts, and crisis moments in public life. He served as Deputy Political Editor at the BBC, where he was a familiar presence reporting outside 10 Downing Street, and now hosts "Drive" and "Pienaar and Friends" on Times Radio.
No. PepTalk adds no booking fee, so you pay the speaker's fee and nothing beyond it. The service, from shortlist through to contracts and event-day logistics, is included. For repeat or multi-event bookings, PepTalk can agree preferential rates with your procurement team.
Share your event date, audience, format, objectives and budget, and PepTalk sends a hand-picked shortlist within 24 hours. Each suggestion comes with a profile, a fee and a recommendation on the strongest fit. Once you choose, PepTalk handles contracts, travel and logistics through to event day.
The typical fee range is the speaker's standard in-person fee in their home market, shown in their local currency. It moves with format, location, date and session length: virtual sessions and shorter slots usually cost less, while international travel and peak dates cost more. Send your brief to PepTalk and the team will confirm the exact fee in your currency.
Not all of them, and it makes no difference to your booking. PepTalk's network of 15,000+ speakers covers talent the team works with directly alongside speakers represented by agents and agencies worldwide. PepTalk approaches the speaker, negotiates the fee and handles contracting either way.
Three to six months ahead is comfortable for most events, and 12 months is better for large conferences, peak-season dates or one specific in-demand speaker. Shorter timelines are workable, and PepTalk regularly fills last-minute and replacement bookings within days. Availability is the constraint, so get in touch as soon as you have a date.
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