ZARA JANJUA

Hi, I'm Zara—nice meet you!

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I'm Zara Janjua, a multi-award-winning broadcaster, writer, comedian, and filmmaker. You might recognise me from TV, hear my voice on radio and podcasts, or read my work in major publications.

 

A Recognised Talent

I was recently named one of Britain’s most talented up-and-coming women, earning a 'Highly Commended' finalist spot for the Women Of The Future Award, sponsored by Oxford University and the Financial Times. In 2023, I was also a finalist for the United Nations Women Awards.

I thrive on versatility—building a multi-hyphen career that spans in front of and behind the camera. My work has been recognised with the Impact Freelancer Award 2023 by YunoJuno, and in 2021, I was named one of the Top 40 Digital Women in the UK. I’ve also been shortlisted for Digital Women for Good and Freelancer of The Year. In 2024, I was named one of Scotland's Top 100 Business Women.

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On-Screen & On-Air

A BAFTA, NTA, and RTS award-winning broadcaster, I’ve presented national news, daytime TV, comedy, and cookery shows for BBC, ITV, and STV. I currently present BBC Radio Scotland’s Sunday Morning Show, Authors Live on the BBC iPlayer and perform as a comedian and impressionist for BBC Radio's Noising Up. I frequently provide political, social, and cultural commentary on Times Radio, BBC Asian Network, and BBC Radio London.

 

A Voice for Change

I'm deeply committed to mentoring and advocacy, dedicating half my time to philanthropic projects. As a member of the NatWest Ethnicity Advisory Council, I help shape policies for inclusivity and diversity. Passionate about women’s rights, diversity, and mental health advocacy, I’ve spoken at some of the UK’s biggest International Women’s Day events. In 2019, I stood alongside Nicola Sturgeon as she announced the Gender Pay Gap Action Plan.

 

The Multi-Hyphen Life

My career spans across journalism, presenting, producing, directing, writing, acting, and stand-up comedy. In 2023, I became a columnist for The Scottish Sun and also contribute to The Guardian.

I’ve covered major global events, reporting for The New York Times Climate Hub at COP26 in Glasgow and COP27 in Egypt, interviewing figures like Al Gore, John Kerry, Stella McCartney, and Vanessa Nakate.

 

Comedy & Writing

Comedy is at my core—I was selected for the BBC Comedy Writersroom, BBC Children's Writersroom, and ITV’s 50:50 Female Pilot Club. I’ve been shortlisted for the Funny Women Comedy Writing Award (twice!) and the Comedy Shorts Award, the David Nobbs Comedy Writing Award, and the Youngs Film Apprenticeship. I have secured seven commissions with BBC Studios for Short Stuff comedy shorts, one of which has staggering 14million views online. 

 

Filmmaking & Storytelling

In 2021, I made my directorial debut with A Spirited Journey, a documentary about marginalised and disabled women in Nepal, which was shortlisted at the Pinewood Studios Lift-Off Filmmaker Festival and won the Technical Award at the Global Film Festival. In 2022, I climbed Mount Kilimanjaro to film my second philanthropic documentary with CHAS, and in 2023, I documented the lives of children benefiting from Rotary International’s literacy projects in Guatemala. 

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Acting & TV Appearances

I’ve appeared in BBC’s Scot Squad, ITV’s Karen Pirie, and BBC Scotland’s The Chief in 2025. I also appear in Jemima Goldsmith’s What’s Love Got to Do with It? alongside Emma Thompson and Lily James. Most recently, I have been cast in a major worldwide drama, soon to be announced.

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Corporate & Financial Sector Work

Beyond broadcasting and entertainment, I have built a strong presence in the corporate world, particularly within the financial sector. My experience in financial communication and business storytelling has led me to host several major sector events, including the EBRD Conference on Skills Development in Central Asia, the Financial Alliance for Women Summit, and Investing with Impact for the Scottish National Investment Bank. I have also presented three podcasts for NatWest - The Women in Business Podcast, which was dedicated to highlighting female entrepreneurs and industry leaders, as well as the Skills Development series, which explores career growth and professional advancement. In 2025, I launched What’s The Chat?, an internal podcast for NatWest employees designed to foster discussion on workplace culture and engagement.

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