Who Is Sir Trevor Phillips? Career, Sky News, Wife and CBS News Role

Sir Trevor Phillips is a British journalist, television presenter, writer and former politician whose career has spanned broadcasting, public service and debates about equality in Britain. He became widely known through his work at London Weekend Television and later presented Sunday Morning with Trevor Phillips on Sky News, where his interviews with senior political figures made him a familiar face in British current affairs. In 2026, he moved to CBS News as its senior global affairs correspondent, beginning a new chapter in a career that has already included decades of journalism and leadership in equality and human rights.

Quick Bio

Early Life, Parents and Education

Born in Islington, London, in 1953, Phillips is the son of parents who came to Britain from what was then British Guiana, now Guyana. He spent part of his childhood in Guyana as well as in north London, giving him experience of different societies from an early age.

He attended Queen’s College in Georgetown, Guyana, before returning to England to study chemistry at Imperial College London. His academic background was in science rather than journalism, but his interest in public affairs developed during his student years.

In 1978, Phillips was elected president of the National Union of Students, becoming the organisation’s first Black president. He held the position until 1980 and gained experience in public debate and political campaigning. The role helped establish his reputation before he entered professional broadcasting.

From London Weekend Television to National Recognition

Phillips began his television career in 1980 as a researcher at London Weekend Television (LWT). Rather than moving directly into elected politics after his student leadership, he developed his skills in journalism, programme-making and current affairs.

He subsequently became a reporter and presenter, working on programmes including The London Programme. He later served as head of current affairs at LWT, a senior editorial position that involved overseeing journalism and television production.

His broadcasting work extended beyond presenting. He was involved with programmes examining British society, race and identity, including Black on Black. These projects helped bring discussions about Black British experiences and the country’s changing cultural landscape to television audiences.

Phillips also worked on Windrush, a television project exploring the history and experiences of Caribbean people in Britain. Alongside his brother, the writer Mike Phillips, he co-authored Windrush: The Irresistible Rise of Multi-Racial Britain, connecting his journalism with a broader examination of post-war British society.

His early career established him as a broadcaster with interests extending beyond daily headlines. He combined programme production, interviews and long-form storytelling with an increasing role in public discussion.

Equality Leadership and Public Service

A significant turning point came in 2003, when Phillips became chair of the Commission for Racial Equality. The appointment placed him at the centre of debates about discrimination, representation and the treatment of ethnic minorities in Britain.

In 2007, he became the founding chair of the Equality and Human Rights Commission (EHRC), the body established to bring together several equality organisations and promote equality and human rights more broadly. He remained in the position until 2012.

His work during this period made him a prominent voice in discussions about integration, multiculturalism and social cohesion. His positions were not universally welcomed, however, and his public comments on race and religion attracted criticism as well as support.

In 2020, the Labour Party suspended Phillips over concerns about comments he had made about British Muslims. The party readmitted him in 2021. The episode reflected the controversy that sometimes accompanies his public commentary and the strongly contested nature of debates about identity and integration.

Phillips received an OBE in 1999 for services to broadcasting. He was knighted in the 2022 New Year Honours for services to equality and human rights. These honours recognised different stages of his career, from journalism to public service.

His Political Career and Connection to Peter Mandelson

Although Phillips became best known for broadcasting, he also held elected office. He served as a member of the London Assembly in the early 2000s and took on leadership responsibilities within the body. His political experience gave him insight into local government and the relationship between public institutions, political parties and the media.

His connections to senior Labour figures also attracted attention. One of his long-standing friends is Peter Mandelson, the former Labour cabinet minister and European trade commissioner. The two knew each other through their professional circles, including their time at LWT, and Mandelson was best man at Phillips’s first wedding.

Their friendship returned to the news in February 2026, when Phillips challenged Mandelson on Sky News over the political fallout from documents that appeared to indicate payments from Jeffrey Epstein. Mandelson said he had no record or recollection of receiving the payments and questioned whether the documentation was authentic. The claims were disputed, and the reporting should not be treated as proof of wrongdoing.

The relationship illustrates the overlap between Phillips’s personal connections and his professional role as an interviewer expected to scrutinise public figures.

Trevor Phillips on Sky News and His Move to CBS

Phillips became a familiar presence on Sky News through its Sunday political coverage. In 2021, he stepped in to host Sophy Ridge on Sunday while Ridge was on maternity leave, becoming the first Black presenter of a flagship UK politics programme, according to Sky News.

He subsequently became the regular presenter of Sunday Morning with Trevor Phillips, interviewing politicians, government ministers and other influential figures. The programme offered a platform for discussions about government policy, elections and the major issues facing Britain.

His approach was shaped by years of experience in journalism and public affairs. Interviews often focused on direct questioning and the political consequences of decisions, helping maintain his profile as a prominent Sunday broadcaster.

In June 2026, CBS News announced that Phillips would join the American network as its senior global affairs correspondent. His reporting was set to appear across CBS News programmes and platforms, marking a move from his established British political presenting role to a broader international brief.

His final edition of Sunday Morning with Trevor Phillips aired on 26 July 2026. Sky News later introduced a new version of its Sunday morning programme, using a rotating line-up of guest presenters rather than appointing one permanent replacement.

By October 2026, Phillips was working at CBS News. The move represented a substantial change in the setting of his journalism, while continuing his long-standing interest in political developments and international affairs.

Wife, Children and Personal Life

Phillips married Asha Bhownagary in 1981, and they had two daughters. His first marriage later ended. He subsequently married television producer Helen Veale, who has been identified in public reporting as his second wife.

Although aspects of his family life have appeared in the press, Phillips is primarily known for his professional work. Details about relatives should be treated carefully, particularly when information comes from secondary biography websites rather than reliable reporting.

Outside his broadcasting career, Phillips has maintained interests in writing and public debate. His work on the Windrush generation, equality institutions and British politics demonstrates that his interests have never been confined to presenting television news.

Frequently Asked Questions

Who is Sir Trevor Phillips?

Sir Trevor Phillips is a British journalist, broadcaster, writer and former politician. He is known for presenting Sky News’s Sunday morning political programme and for leading the Commission for Racial Equality and the Equality and Human Rights Commission.

How old is Trevor Phillips?

He was born on 31 December 1953 and is 72 years old as of October 2026.

Is Trevor Phillips still on Sky News?

No. His final edition of Sunday Morning with Trevor Phillips aired on 26 July 2026. He subsequently moved to CBS News.

What is Trevor Phillips’s job at CBS News?

He joined CBS News as its senior global affairs correspondent in 2026. His reporting contributes to the network’s programmes and platforms.

Who is Trevor Phillips’s wife?

His first wife was Asha Bhownagary, whom he married in 1981. His second wife is television producer Helen Veale.

How many children does Trevor Phillips have?

Phillips has two daughters from his first marriage to Asha Bhownagary.

Why was Trevor Phillips knighted?

He received a knighthood in the 2022 New Year Honours for services to equality and human rights, following his work with the Commission for Racial Equality and the Equality and Human Rights Commission.

A Career Beyond the News Desk

Sir Trevor Phillips’s career connects British broadcasting with public service, political debate and international journalism. From his early years at LWT to his leadership of equality institutions and his move to CBS News, he has worked across several influential parts of public life. His achievements and controversies alike have kept him involved in difficult conversations about Britain and its place in the world. BritInsight will continue to follow the work of media figures whose careers help explain the changing landscape of journalism.