His association with the BBC World Service goes back to 1977 when he joined the staff as a producer after graduating from university in Zimbabwe (what was then Rhodesia).

It was the beginning of a love affair with Africa and those early years saw him reporting from trouble spots all over the continent and interviewing politicians who would go on to become their countries' post-independence leaders.

By 1991 Julian decided that presenting was what he enjoyed most. It was also the year he won the Sony Gold Award for best reaction to a news event: the release of Nelson Mandela.

Since then he's had a privileged ringside seat at some of the defining moments of the late 20th and early 21st century.

Julian is passionate about Newshour - the breadth and depth of its coverage - both presenting the programme from London and on location.

Married with four children, he relaxes by cycling and cliff-top walking in West Wales.