She grew up all over the Middle East, where her father was posted as a
British diplomat
Studied modern languages at the University of Oxford and, as a result, speaks fluent French and Italian. After graduation, briefly worked for the Bank of England.
Married to ex-BBC Newsnight correspondent and current "Control Risks Group" senior vice-president Tom Carver.
She is the Washington-based anchor for the BBC World News (1997) seen on PBS, BBC America and CBC Newsworld.