Nisha Pillai is a journalist, conference host, speaker, and coach. Born in Kolkata, India, Pillai grew up in Mumbai before moving to London at 14. She studied analytical economics at the London School of Economics and started her career in finance at Schroders Investment Bank before transitioning into journalism with the Investors Chronicle.
Joining the BBC in 1986, Pillai worked on programmes such as The Money Programme and Panorama. Her nine-month investigation into the financial affairs of media proprietor Robert Maxwell, titled "The Max Factor," earned her recognition from the Royal Television Society in 1991. In 1995, she became a main news anchor for BBC World News, presenting hourly news reports and covering events like Pakistan's 50th anniversary of independence and Israel's 50th anniversary of its declaration of independence.
Pillai has interviewed figures such as Hindu nationalist Bal Thackeray, musician Phil Collins, writer V.S. Naipaul, and Bollywood megastar Amitabh Bachchan. She has also coached senior executives in presentation skills at London Business School and recorded podcast interviews on economic analysis for a ratings agency. Additionally, she facilitates conferences and financial forums, leveraging her understanding of economics.
Outside of her professional pursuits, Pillai is a mother of two children and maintains close ties with her Indian heritage, visiting India frequently. Today, she continues to inspire and engage audiences through her work as a conference host, speaker, and coach.
