Ashley John-Baptiste began his journalism career at the BBC as a reporter on BBC Two’s Victoria Derbyshire programme, where he covered the Grenfell Tower disaster and produced original films on issues such as interfaith foster care and racism on UK university campuses. His work led to him being shortlisted for RTS Young Talent of the Year in 2018. Further recognition followed when he co-hosted The One Show with Angelica Bell in December 2019. He is now a regular reporter on the programme, covering subjects including adoption, pregnancy, homelessness and the care system.

Ashley also presented BBC Radio 1Xtra’s first investigative documentary podcast series, Legends Fall in the Making: The Story of Juice WRLD, Pop Smoke, XXXTentacion & Lil Peep, available on BBC Sounds and iPlayer. The eight-part series examines the lives and careers of four American rappers whose lives were tragically cut short and won Silver for Best Arts & Culture Podcast at the British Podcast Awards 2022.

In June 2022, Ashley served as lead reporter from The Mall during the four days of The Queen’s Platinum Jubilee celebrations, broadcasting across BBC One and the BBC News channels.

In February 2023, Expert Witness was nominated for a Broadcast Award in the Best Daytime Programme category. Later that year, Split Up in Care: Life Without Siblings was shortlisted for Most Impactful Journalism at the BBC News Awards.

Ashley John-Baptiste | The Care System

Ashley grew up in South London and entered the care system at the age of four. He experienced multiple foster placements and children’s homes and attended three different primary schools. Despite these challenges, he secured a place at the University of Cambridge, graduating with a 2:1 in History, and went on to mentor other care-experienced students during his time there.

An inspirational speaker, Ashley shares his powerful personal story of growing up in care.

Ashley John-Baptiste | Ambassador

He is an ambassador for The Fostering Network and the founder of the online charity Be Inspired, which supports young people leaving care to achieve their ambitions. In June 2025, he appeared on the panel for Crisis of Care at Glastonbury Left Field.

Ashley John-Baptiste fronted the BBC Three documentary Care Home Kids: Looking For Love (Special Edition Films), alongside other recent BBC films including My Life in Care and My Life Without Skin. His documentary Split Up in Care: Life Without Siblings, which explores the impact of siblings being separated in the care system, premiered on BBC Three in March 2021.

Ashley John-Baptiste’s first book, Looked After: A Childhood in Care (Hodder & Stoughton, June 2024), was nominated for the Hatchards 2024 Best First Biography Prize.

‘This is a book that everyone must read. It’s funny, moving and of course it’s often sad. But mainly it’s a beautiful and fascinating and enlightening portrait of the care system, a world that is barely understood by many of us. It is also a proper page turner: the twists and turns and set-backs of his childhood are as gripping as they are shocking. I genuinely couldn’t put it down. This story is more urgent and relevant now than ever.’ – XAND VAN TULLEKEN

Call +44 1753 439 289 or email Great British Speakers today to book care home and fostering speaker Ashley John-Basptiste for your next event. 

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