Stewart Maclean

Stewart Maclean Family and Personal Life

1. Stewart Maclean was born in London, United Kingdom.
2. Stewart Maclean’s birth sign is Virgo.
3. Stewart Maclean now lives in Nairobi, Kenya, with his wife Emily and their two children. His move came after leaving Newsnight, and he took on the role of BBC World News Content’s Africa Bureau Chief in January 2024. Maclean cited personal reasons for the move, emphasizing family over professional motivations. His passion for Africa was well known among his colleagues.
4. Since moving to Kenya, Stewart Maclean has reported on the country’s political and social climate. He covered the Mpox outbreak and a major youth-led movement on social media that resulted in policy changes. In September 2024, his flight was delayed due to a workers’ strike in Kenya. His reporting has continued to be impactful in his new role.
5. Despite his departure, Maclean is regarded as one of the BBC’s most creative and accomplished editors. He was known for delivering high-impact journalism and finding new talent. His leadership and editorial integrity earned him respect from his peers. John McAndrew, BBC News director of programs, praised Maclean’s contributions to the program.
6. Stewart Maclean prefers to keep his personal life private. He uses social media mainly to highlight his professional work rather than personal details. His dedication to his job has always been a priority, with his focus on delivering important stories.
7. He can be found on Instagram under the username @stewart__maclean.

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Stewart Maclean Biography and Facts

1. Who is Stewart Maclean? Stewart Maclean is a reporter known for his work as a BBC journalist. He played a key role in ‘A Very Royal Scandal’ on Prime Video, which focused on the aftermath of Prince Andrew’s interview with Emily Maitlis. While the series emphasized Maitlis’ perspective, Maclean was one of the team members behind the success. His efforts contributed to the BBC’s achievement in this highly publicized event.
2. Early Journalism Career: Stewart Maclean started his journalism career after graduating from the University of Manchester. In 2004, he began as a graduate trainee at the Daily Mirror, eventually becoming a staff news reporter. Four years later, he moved to Johannesburg, South Africa, where he worked as a freelance correspondent for various UK and Irish national newspapers. His early career laid the foundation for his later success in journalism.
3. Joining the BBC: Maclean joined the BBC in 2012 as a producer on Newsnight. He worked at the BBC until 2013, then moved to ITV News. At ITV, he started as a news editor and later became the Head of UK specialist journalism. His time at the BBC helped him build the skills for his future editorial roles.
4. Return to BBC and Newsnight Leadership: Stewart Maclean returned to the BBC in 2017 as Assistant Editor on Newsnight. In 2018, he was promoted to deputy editor, and by 2019, he became the executive producer of the Prince Andrew interview. His leadership role involved overseeing negotiations between Newsnight and Buckingham Palace. His contributions were instrumental in this pivotal moment for the BBC.
5. Appointment as Newsnight Editor: In 2021, Stewart Maclean was appointed as the interim editor of Newsnight after Esme Wren left the role. In April 2022, he became the permanent editor of the program. Maclean expressed his excitement, calling Newsnight “essential” for viewers to understand current events. He was enthusiastic about leading a team that aimed to deliver impactful journalism.
6. Resignation as Newsnight Editor: After just one year as Newsnight editor, Maclean announced his resignation in October 2023. His decision came amid BBC budget cuts, though he stated it was not directly related to these changes. Maclean acknowledged the challenges of leaving during a time of uncertainty but believed in Newsnight’s future success. His colleagues recognized his dedication to the program during his tenure.
7. Complaint Controversy in 2022: In 2022, Stewart Maclean faced a complaint regarding comments he allegedly made about a Black Lives Matter story. He was accused of comparing the protests to Islamic State’s destruction of statues during an editorial meeting. The BBC investigated the matter and completely exonerated Maclean. The incident did not affect his career, and he continued in his role at Newsnight.