Rachel Riley MBE

  • Numbers expert on Channel 4's long-running quiz show Countdown

  • Passionate about getting girls and young women involved in STEM subjects

  • Studied Quantum Theory, Fluid Mechanics & Applied Maths in her degree course

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Rachel Riley MBE | NMP Live
About

Rachel Riley is the numbers expert on Channel 4's long-running quiz show Countdown — having taken over the helm from Carol Vorderman in January 2009 — and a resident team member on the hit Channel 4 comedy show 8 Out of 10 Cats Does Countdown.

Rachel appeared in the Channel 4 Dispatches programme
Kids Don't Count. The two-part documentary asked how and why we are failing Britain's children when it comes to maths. Rachel visited a primary school in Bristol to help encourage the children to tackle their maths demons.

She was also invited by Channel 4 to chair a debate regarding maths in schools, which linked to the Dispatches documentary
Kid's Don't Count. She then chaired a panel of three experts, including J Sainsbury's then CEO, Justin King.

Brought up in Thorpe Bay, Essex, Rachel Riley graduated from Oriel College Oxford with an upper second-class honours degree in Mathematics, covering Quantum Theory, Fluid Mechanics and Applied Maths and was made a scholar in 2006. She captained the Oriel College Netball team and played in the women's football team.

After graduating Rachel began work as a data analyst for a website company in London. She was encouraged to apply for the Countdown position by her mother, and didn't have any ambition to be a television presenter, but decided to apply because she was interested in the numbers part of the game. Rachel was chosen from more than a thousand applicants despite having no previous television experience.

In 2009, Rachel was recruited by the Post Office, employing her mathematical skills to help advise holidaymakers on how to make the most of their holiday currency, after a report by the Post Office revealed that a significant number of holidaymakers fail to calculate the actual cost of goods and services when travelling abroad and often overspend their holiday budget.

Rachel is an avid Manchester United fan. She has presented Fantasy Football Club and Friday Night Football on Sky Sports. She has appeared on Football Focus (BBC 1), Soccer AM (Sky Sports) and Follow the Football (BT Sport). She has also presented shows on MUTV as well as featuring on BBC Radio 5 Live and talkSPORT radio.

Rachel has a keen interest in promoting maths and science to young people and has been involved in a number of national numeracy initiatives. She is particularly passionate about getting girls involved in STEM subjects.

She is involved with Premier League Primary Stars, an initiative designed to help develop children’s skills and ambition both on and off the sports field. She is also a Global Ambassador for Grassroots Soccer.

Her professionalism, intellect and versatility make Rachel Riley ideal for a variety of corporate opportunities, from hosting company awards ceremonies, chairing panel debates and discussions to fronting PR campaigns.

Speech Topics

Available for a variety of live corporate work, from awards hosting to conference facilitating, Rachel Riley's previous engagements have included being a panellist on the Internet Explorer 8 Life Academy Competition 2010, guest presenting an award at the Police Bravery Awards 2010, facilitating the Channel 4 Platform ‘Maths in Schools' Debate linked to the Dispatches programme Kids Don't Count, and being a celebrity guest for the Jersey Hospice Care Million Pound Lottery in Jersey.

In addition to corporate appearances, Rachel Riley has a keen interest in promoting Maths and Science to young people. She makes frequent school visits and has been involved in a number of initiatives such as Enterprise UK's Make Your Mark Challenge and the Science: [So what? So everything] campaign.

Videos

Fireside chat/interview

Fireside chat/interview

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Testimonials

Rachel Riley was fantastic. She was incredibly professional, enthusiastic and really engaged with the finalists and other judges. Brilliant asset to our day!

Internet Explorer 8 - Life Academy Competition.

Rachel was brilliant last night. Everyone loved her and she was so accommodating to her fans at the end of the night.

IGD Food Awards.

Rachel Riley is an absolute delight to work with and once again she went the extra mile interacting with the guests both before and after the main presentations.

Women In Rail Conference 2019.

It was absolutely fabulous and Rachel did a great job. Can you please pass on my thanks to her as she did herself and us proud. The feedback so far has been amazing and we are already thinking for next year.

The Courier Business Awards.

Rachel was an absolute dream to work with on the day – as she is every year.

The Telegraph STEM Awards 2016.

The event was fantastic and, as always, Rachel was an absolute pro and so lovely to work with.

Offshore Achievement Awards.

Rachel was the perfect person…She completely understood the brief and used her own skills to enhance the statistics involved. Her friendly and approachable manner with the radio interviewers was exactly what was needed. Look forward to working with her again!

Post Office Travel Money Card Radio Day.

Having worked with a lot of celebrities over the years I found Rachel to be one of the best. She spent a great deal of time reading and discussing the briefing notes beforehand and made sure she fully understood what we wanted. She thoroughly embraced the project and delivered exactly what was asked. She was also an absolute delight, friendly, down to earth and utterly professional. Rachel was interviewing teachers at an awards ceremony and spent the day, completely unscripted, engaging with all sorts of personalities consistently getting the responses we needed whilst ensuring the teachers really enjoyed the experience , I can assure you this was no mean feat. I would l have absolutely no hesitation in recommending Rachel.

Times Educational Supplement Schools Awards.

How to book Rachel Riley MBE for your event

To book Rachel Riley MBE, please submit an online enquiry to booking.agent@nmp.co.uk or contact one of our booking agents on +44 (0)20 3822 0003.

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I was very pleased with the service I received from NMP Live, the agent was very helpful and professional. I will definitely look to NMP Live in the future.
Nicole Hardaker, EAIE Conference Programme Coordinator
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