Sam Holder: The Multi-Award-Winning ITV News Correspondent Redefining British Broadcast Journalism
Who Is Sam Holder?
Sam Holder is an award-winning British television journalist, presenter, and documentary storyteller known for his sharp investigative reporting and empathetic approach to human-centred journalism. Based in London, he currently works as a TV correspondent for ITV News, where his original stories and on-the-ground coverage have positioned him among the most respected broadcast reporters in the UK.
Holder is celebrated not only for his ability to deliver breaking news under pressure but also for crafting agenda-setting investigations that influence national dialogue. His work for ITV News, BBC Radio 4, Sky News, Reuters, and Panorama has earned him multiple prestigious honours, including awards from Amnesty International, the New York Festivals, the Medical Journalists’ Association (MJA), and the British Podcast Awards.
Early Life and Education
Sam Holder’s academic and professional foundation is built upon intellectual depth and global perspective. He graduated from The University of Manchester with a First-Class Honours Bachelor of Arts degree in Arabic and Middle Eastern Studies, equipping him with nuanced cultural and linguistic insights that continue to inform his international reporting.
He later obtained a Master’s Degree in Television Journalism from City, University of London, where he graduated with Distinction. During his time there, Holder developed the technical skills and editorial judgement that underpin his career — from self-shooting and editing to producing high-impact investigative segments.
His early media experience also includes placements with NBC News, Sky Sunrise, and Al Jazeera (UK), where he worked as an intern and assistant producer between 2010 and 2013. These formative years, spanning both London and Cairo, exposed him to major global events including the Arab Spring, the Royal Wedding of Prince William and Catherine Middleton, and the London riots, where he contributed to live coverage and field production.
Career at ITV News
From Trainee to On-Screen Correspondent
Sam Holder joined ITV News through its prestigious Trainee Scheme in 2014, training across national, political, and breakfast news teams. After completing his programme, he quickly rose through the ranks, first joining ITV Meridian as a TV Journalist and On-Screen Reporter.
His coverage during the 2017 General Election and exclusive reporting on the Shoreham Air Disaster earned him early acclaim, including a Drum Online Media Award nomination for his innovative digital storytelling.
Investigative Excellence at ITV London and ITV National News
Between 2017 and 2024, Holder’s reputation as a fearless and analytical journalist solidified. As an On-Screen Reporter for ITV News London, he broke a series of exclusive stories, including exposés on toxic air pollution, failures in anti-terror security, and rising anti-Semitism in the capital.
His deep connection with the Strictly Orthodox Jewish community has allowed him to access and report on hard-to-reach groups with sensitivity and accuracy — an ability that distinguishes him from many of his peers.
Promoted in March 2024 to a national ITV News Correspondent, Sam Holder now contributes to ITV’s flagship bulletins, covering both domestic and international news. His investigative pieces on fake online pharmacies, cyberattacks targeting public institutions, and miscarriages of justice have received widespread praise. He regularly interviews senior politicians, cultural figures, and global icons — from the Prime Minister to members of ABBA — while also delivering live reports during breaking stories such as terror attacks and major court trials.
BBC and Panorama Collaborations
While Holder’s principal role remains at ITV, he has also contributed to the BBC through high-impact investigative projects.
Presenter of “Please Protect Abraham”
In 2021, Sam Holder presented “Please Protect Abraham”, a ten-part documentary series for BBC Radio 4 and BBC Sounds. The series revisited the tragic story of Abraham Badru, a young man murdered a decade after testifying in a high-profile criminal case. Holder’s sensitive yet unflinching presentation uncovered significant new evidence and shed light on possible failures in the UK’s witness protection system.
The series earned critical acclaim, featured on BBC Radio 5Live, Today, and The Guardian, and won multiple awards, including recognition at the British Podcast Awards.
Panorama Investigation
In 2022, Holder collaborated with BBC Panorama as Associate Producer on “Undercover: Britain’s Biggest GP Chain.” The investigation revealed allegations of malpractice and poor patient care at one of the UK’s largest healthcare networks. The exposé reached Parliament, was cited in the House of Commons, and was shortlisted for a British Journalism Award.
Freelance Contributions and Earlier Work
Before returning full-time to ITV, Sam Holder freelanced for several major outlets:
-
Sky News (2020): Correspondent during the COVID-19 pandemic, covering the Reading terror attack, Birmingham stabbings, and Black Lives Matter protests.
-
Reuters Africa Journal (2018–2019): Reporter scripting, voicing, and editing stories on under-reported African issues for global distribution.
-
About Time Magazine (2017–present): Drinks Editor, writing lifestyle features focused on whisky, tea culture, and global beverage trends.
These experiences demonstrate Holder’s versatility — moving effortlessly between breaking news, investigative reporting, and feature writing.
Reporting Style and Professional Strengths
1. Investigative Depth
Sam Holder is best known for his agenda-setting investigations that reveal unseen dimensions of public interest stories. Whether exposing fraudulent online pharmacies or documenting hate crime survivors, he combines factual precision with compassion.
2. On-Camera Confidence
A skilled live broadcaster, Holder is frequently called upon for immediate coverage during major events. His calm, articulate presence allows him to deliver coherent updates even under extreme time pressure.
3. Cross-Cultural Sensitivity
Fluent in Arabic and experienced in Middle Eastern studies, he approaches stories involving diverse communities with rare linguistic and cultural awareness — an essential quality in today’s interconnected media environment.
4. Technical Skill
Holder is a self-shooter and editor, proficient with digital news systems such as Avid NewsCutter and iNews, demonstrating a hands-on understanding of modern broadcast production.
Awards and Recognition
Throughout his career, Sam Holder has earned recognition from leading journalism and media institutions:
-
Amnesty International Media Award
-
Two New York Festivals TV & Film Awards
-
Medical Journalists’ Association (MJA) Award – Broadcast News Story of the Year
-
British Podcast Awards Winner
-
Sandford St Martin Award Nominee
-
British Journalism Awards – Shortlisted
These honours highlight his consistency in delivering both investigative rigour and ethical storytelling.
Personal Life and Public Presence
Although highly visible on screen, Sam Holder maintains a private personal life. Publicly available information indicates that he is based in London and continues to work full-time with ITV News. His verified Twitter account (@samholdertv) provides updates on his work, interviews, and major projects.
There is no publicly verified record of marriage or family details associated with the journalist, and he has no official Wikipedia biography page as of 2025. Nonetheless, his growing influence within British broadcasting suggests that a dedicated public profile is likely inevitable.
Legacy and Impact
Sam Holder represents a new generation of British journalists who merge technical versatility, cultural empathy, and investigative courage. His work continues to challenge institutions, amplify unheard voices, and redefine what modern public-interest broadcasting can achieve.
From reporting on cybercrime and public health to confronting social injustice and state accountability, Sam Holder has become a trusted voice in British journalism — a correspondent who not only reports the facts but also compels society to ask deeper questions.
