MUMBAI: BBC World News presenter Nik Gowing is stepping back from his daily presenting role on the channel.   One of the main presenters on BBC World News since 1996, his roles over the past 18 years have included hosting NewsDesk, World News Today, The Hub and Dateline London.   He has presented live coverage on location on many occasions and led the team responsible for developing the highly successful World Debates.

Nik Gowing said, “Like a few other colleagues back in the mid 90s, I took the professional risk of joining a fledgling channel with great global potential and ambitions. It was, though, one that the BBC took a long time to work out how to embrace both commercially and editorially. Now BBC World News is where I always visualised it would get to eventually. It is flying high as one of the ever more successful BBC global news platforms. I have chosen to step back with a great sense of having contributed to achieving so much. I have always been supported by many tremendous and committed colleagues over the 18 years. To them go my enormous thanks and appreciation. A presenter is, after all, the public face of a multi-talented, hard-working team both editorially and technically.”

James Stephenson, Head of News for BBC World News, said, “Nik always recognised the potential for BBC World News to become a successful global channel and has played a key role in building its success. Since our move to New Broadcasting House he has brought his irrepressible energy to raising the quality of our morning output. We hugely appreciate his distinguished contribution to the channel both on and off air.”

Peter Horrocks, Director, World Service Group, said, “Nik has been a mainstay of BBC World News for most of its existence. His gravitas, his energy and his unrivalled contacts book have been essential parts of the channel's booming success. Nik will move on from daily presenting with the cheers of the audience and journalists of World News ringing in his ears as a mark of admiration for a man who has had a huge impact on the channel.”

Nik will continue to work with BBC World News on an ad hoc basis after he steps down from daily presenting next month.