Listen "Karen Pierce"
Episode Synopsis
Karen Pierce is the UK's new Permanent Representative at the UN in New York, Britain's most senior ambassadorial post. She only started in the role three weeks ago and has been thrown in at the deep end with the chemical weapons attack in Syria.
Friends and colleagues alike are struck by her glamorous and colourful sense of style. This includes high heels, to the dismay of her security detail in places like Afghanistan, who fear her footwear could impede a swift exit. We hear how she tackles meetings fearlessly, and has been known to reduce a roomful of shouting men to silence, without raising her voice. Becky Milligan looks at the life of an unusual diplomat, who may now be facing her biggest challenge yet. Producers: Arlene Gregorius and Ros Jones.
Friends and colleagues alike are struck by her glamorous and colourful sense of style. This includes high heels, to the dismay of her security detail in places like Afghanistan, who fear her footwear could impede a swift exit. We hear how she tackles meetings fearlessly, and has been known to reduce a roomful of shouting men to silence, without raising her voice. Becky Milligan looks at the life of an unusual diplomat, who may now be facing her biggest challenge yet. Producers: Arlene Gregorius and Ros Jones.
More episodes of the podcast Profile
Afua Kyei
08/11/2025
Andy Burnham
01/11/2025
Sanae Takaichi
27/10/2025
Luke Littler
18/10/2025
Marina Abramović
11/10/2025
Kristi Noem
27/09/2025
Deborah Griffin
20/09/2025
Peter Mandelson
13/09/2025
Zack Polanski
06/09/2025
Michele Dougherty
30/08/2025
ZARZA We are Zarza, the prestigious firm behind major projects in information technology.