Rise to Success: Career Highlights of Yalda Hakim

Discover the career path of Yalda Hakim, from the first major opportunity to industry-changing achievements.

Yalda Hakim is an Australian broadcast journalist and documentary maker currently serving as Lead World News presenter for Sky News. Previously, she was a chief presenter at BBC News. Her family fled Afghanistan in 1986, finding refuge in Australia. She grew up in Parramatta, a suburb of western Sydney, and pursued a career in journalism. She began at SBS Television before joining BBC TV in 2012, and ultimately transitioned to Sky News in July 2023.

Sections (2)

Full Timeline Career & Achievements

2008: First Dateline Report from Kabul

In 2008, Hakim returned to Kabul for her first Dateline report, and from then on, reported from across the world for Dateline and SBS World News Australia.

2011: Co-hosted Dateline

In 2011, Hakim began co-hosting Dateline with Mark Davis, taking turns to present the program in six-week blocks.

April 2012: Talks with BBC Executives

In April 2012, Hakim had been in talks with BBC executives after being approached at a broadcasting conference in Brisbane.

December 2012: Announcement of Joining BBC

In December 2012, it was announced that Yalda Hakim would join the BBC.

2012: Hakim Moved to BBC TV

In 2012, Yalda Hakim moved to BBC TV after starting her career at SBS Television.

March 2013: First Appearance on BBC World News

In March 2013, Yalda Hakim first appeared on BBC World News and the BBC News Channel.

October 2013: Interview with Hamid Karzai

In October 2013, Yalda Hakim interviewed Hamid Karzai, the President of Afghanistan, for Newsnight.

March 2014: Appearances on Impact

Since March 2014, Yalda Hakim has made several appearances as a presenter on Impact, eventually becoming the programme's main presenter later that year.

2018: Yalda Hakim Foundation Established

In 2018, The Yalda Hakim Foundation (YHF) was established to support the education of exceptionally talented young women from Afghanistan.

2019: Scholarship Program at American University of Afghanistan

In 2019, the Yalda Hakim Foundation offered a full four-year scholarship program at the American University of Afghanistan.

2021: Partnership with Oriel College at Oxford University

In 2021, the Yalda Hakim Foundation partnered with Oriel College at Oxford University to provide a fully-funded one-year masters degree course for a young Afghan woman.

February 2023: Announcement as Chief Presenter

In February 2023, it was announced that Yalda Hakim would become a chief presenter on the BBC’s new news channel for both UK and international viewers.

April 2023: Launch of BBC News Channel

In April 2023, the BBC's new news channel, where Yalda Hakim was a chief presenter, was launched for both UK and international viewers.

July 2023: Hakim joined Sky News

In July 2023, Yalda Hakim left the BBC to join Sky News as their lead world news presenter.

July 2023: Hakim Announced Departure from BBC

On 27 July 2023, Hakim tweeted that she was leaving the BBC to join Sky News.

October 2023: Final programme for BBC News

On 2 October 2023, Yalda Hakim presented her final programme for BBC News. She presented The Daily Global for two hours every weekday, a show focused on a variety of international news.