About Ramaa
Ramaa Sharma is an award winning media leader, an Ashridge trained executive coach and journalist. She has over 19 years experience in the media industry including 17 years at the BBC where she was a Senior Editor in News.
During her time at the BBC, Ramaa led large scale digital transformation initiatives and edited numerous award winning multimedia journalism projects across the years. In 2020 she devised and led a Race & Inclusion programme for the BBC’s News board.
Combining her leadership, journalism and coaching experiences, Ramaa now offers digital transformation, culture change, content strategy and D&I consultancy as well as related CIPD sessions to leaders and fellow coaches.
Digital Leader / Journalist / Consultant / Executive Coach
• 19 years experience in the media - including award winning reporting, presenting and leadership
• Expertise working at the intersection of digital innovation, diversity and journalism
• Track record of leading and delivering high scale digital transformation in teams and across large divisions.
• Track record of increasing digital growth and audience engagement to Social media & web platforms
• Provide thought leadership on inclusive leadership, coaching and inclusive journalism strategies
• Coach & consult board level directors, CEOs and editors on D&I and/or digital growth strategies & innovation
• Experience managing senior teams and multi-media teams of up to 40 and budgets in excess of £1m
Speaker/Consultant/Podcast host Oxford University Reuters Institute (April 2021 -current)
Executive Coach/Consultant (2017- current)
Speaker & Jury Member WAN IFRA Speaker on Newsroom Summit x2 & Judge Digital Media Awards May 2022
Presenter/Journalist BBC Radio 4 (May - April 2022)
Pitched & presented Radio 4 Documentary “Culture on the Couch” (Available on BBC Sounds now) Documentary led to curriculum and policy changes.
Senior Digital News Editor, BBC News (Oct 16 - Sept 2021)
At the BBC Ramaa pioneered a digital education for leaders including c-suite exectives. Ramaa drove new digital innovations, editorial strategies, investigations as well as award winning digital and Social Media strategies. In her last role Ramaa led an effective ‘hearts and minds’ approach to transformation in the news division comprising of 8,000 journalists. Specifics: -
During the Pandemic: -
︎ Pitched and led an award winning digital covid response for UK diaspora audiences in 5 South Asian Languages across BBC as well as partner stations
︎ Pitched and delivered a bespoke Race & Inclusion programme to the Executive Board. Made up of 3 workshops and follow up(s) helping the board navigate and understand the complex issues around race and inclusion from an editorial and staff perspective. Feedback from board members “powerful.”
︎ Commissioned & delivered programming from the BBC’s first Digital Creative Diversity Festival. Including programmes “Beyond yellow casting,” and “Black & Scottish,”
︎ Presented 45 minute segment called "Brown girls on the rise" - exploring cultural conflicts and lack of culturally sensitive mental health services. The programme led to an official review of processes in one Bradford Hospital.
Pre Pandemic:
︎ Led a digital transformation programme. Drove a new editorial agenda to reach underserved audiences and new experimental working practices in the newsroom. Won hearts and minds to ensure the change initiated sticks. Worked with 500 journalists across 14 teams including Online, Milbank and 6&10 O’clock news bulletin teams
︎ Commissioned and executive producer on multimedia Investigation “Hidden problem of Alcohol abuse in Panjabi communities” Featured on Victoria Derbyshire, Asian Network Debate show, BBC News Online (1.5 million hits) and bespoke products for Social media.
︎ Launched the first ever “Coding Journalism” scholarship, which involved training journalists to code and create digital products.
︎ Managed a budget of £1m and a team of 10 senior multidisciplinary staff, Including 3 Assistant Editors, News Editor and Video journalists.
︎ BBC Coach - providing coaching to Editors & Executives at the BBC Head of Social Media & Mobile, BBC World Service, London (Nov 2013 – Oct 2016)
︎ Produced global audience growth and engagement strategies for new digital platforms. Pioneered the first ‘social first’ newsrooms for World Service as a part of new investment (290 million in total)
︎ Devised and implemented a World Service Social Media strategy to work across 29 Language services. Worked with local teams to tailor strategies where necessary.
︎ Launched new editorial initiatives including Social Media investigations pilot with BBC Russian and pop up ‘Facebook only’ Thai Service. Led a Hackathon with the Product team in Bangkok.
︎ Produced and led an award winning social media strategy for the 100 women project. Including content planning, editing and managing a multidisciplinary team of 10 journalists during live events.
︎ Devised and implemented a Mobile strategy. Mobile traffic grew by 43% across Language services
︎ Commissioned new digital tools for the World Service and bespoke training for teams
︎ Managed a budget £650,000 News Executive, BBC News, London (Oct –January 2016) (Secondment)
︎ News rep on the committee for the Online Creative Review –public facing project commissioned by Director General Tony Hall
︎ Carried out consultations with internal and external stakeholders locally and in the US
︎ Commissioned digital research and audits - ascertained waste and growth potential on the BBC News Website
︎ Provided recommendations for innovation, growth and improvements to the BBC Website for Exec Board Digital Editor, BBC World Service (Hindi) & BBC News Online, Delhi, (Jan 2013 – Sept 13)
︎ Led an editorial team of 40 World Service journalists in the BBC’s Delhi bureau
︎ Devised and delivered a new inclusive content strategy and ‘digital first’ ways of working to a radio operation.
︎ Commissioned stories daily and multimedia series across BBC News Online and BBC Hindi called “Digital Indians”
︎ Implemented an effective content and social media strategy. Doubled mobile/desktop traffic to the BBC Hindi site and increased social traffic and referral rate from Facebook and Twitter by 200%.
Digital Consultant, BBC College of Journalism, London, (Apr 2009 – Dec 2012)
︎ Produced and provided the first social media and digital training/consultancy to Senior managers and editors.
︎ Pitched and delivered the first digital leadership courses to editors and WS Board at the BBC. Controller remarked the course was “Excellent”
Senior Multimedia Journalist BBC RELIGION & ETHICS, London, (Sept 2009 – April 2009)
Produced, complied and curated the a circuit of content a weekly basis servicing 40 radio stations.
Produced exclusive multimedia series on the anniversary of the Kindertransport for the local radio network.
Tri-media Reporter/Presenter BBC LONDON, London, (Sept 2006 – 2008)
As a video journalist produced packages for Online and TV News bulletins. Wrote and published original journalism to BBC London website & reported for BBC London radio. Also stood in for Sunday programmes presenters.
Radio Presenter BBC ASIAN NETWORK, various News programmes across the network, (Aug 2005 – Apr 2006)
Radio Presenter/BA BBC RADIO STOKE, Staffordshire, (May 2003 – Sept 2005)
Presenter Asian programming & early breakfast programmes. Reporter including of award winning radio packages on diversity.
Awards & Recognition
︎ Gillard Award for Emergency Covid information service in South Asian Languages (2021)
︎ Awarded Clore Fellowship Senior Leadership programme (September 2018-2019)
︎ Nominated in the Best investigation category (Alcohol abuse project) 2018 - Asian Media Awards
︎ Awarded Gracie for 100 Women Digital & Social Media Project (March 2016)
︎ Awarded BBC Women in Leadership scheme 2015/2016
︎ Listed one of 50 top women digital innovators 2013 by Journalism.co.uk.
︎ Awarded Gold Gillard for Diversity reporting, 2005 (Radio award)
︎ Awarded BBC News Sponsorship (Scholarship Post grad diploma)
Education
︎ Executive Coaching Certificate Ashridge Executive Education Hult Business School, 2017
︎ BBC Coaching Certificate
︎ PG DIP Broadcast Journalism, City University, London, 2005 (Scholarship)
︎ BA (Hons.) Media– Broadcast pathway, (2.1) Westminster University, London, 2000-2003
During her time at the BBC, Ramaa led large scale digital transformation initiatives and edited numerous award winning multimedia journalism projects across the years. In 2020 she devised and led a Race & Inclusion programme for the BBC’s News board.
Combining her leadership, journalism and coaching experiences, Ramaa now offers digital transformation, culture change, content strategy and D&I consultancy as well as related CIPD sessions to leaders and fellow coaches.
CV
Digital Leader / Journalist / Consultant / Executive Coach
• 19 years experience in the media - including award winning reporting, presenting and leadership
• Expertise working at the intersection of digital innovation, diversity and journalism
• Track record of leading and delivering high scale digital transformation in teams and across large divisions.
• Track record of increasing digital growth and audience engagement to Social media & web platforms
• Provide thought leadership on inclusive leadership, coaching and inclusive journalism strategies
• Coach & consult board level directors, CEOs and editors on D&I and/or digital growth strategies & innovation
• Experience managing senior teams and multi-media teams of up to 40 and budgets in excess of £1m
Speaker/Consultant/Podcast host Oxford University Reuters Institute (April 2021 -current)
- Producing and presenting a podcast on “Authentic Leadership” and related article
- Co- authoring the annual report “Leading Newsroom Change” - special diversity edition.
- Present two sessions on the Newsroom Leaders programme and Editors/CEO Forum.
- Share insights & knowledge on Inclusive leadership, D&I, leaderships challenges & group coaching
Executive Coach/Consultant (2017- current)
- Working with a number of directors & middle managers on a 1-1 basis. (ongoing)
- Co-hosting CIPD webinar on “Talking about race in coaching” with Charlotte Sills for Ashridge Hult November 2023
- Supporting Ashridge Hult Leadership Institute with research on D&I and coaching. (ongoing)
- Providing D&I consultancy to Bureau of Investigation (ongoing)
- Provided D&I consultancy to Cogency - Media & Web 3 company
Speaker & Jury Member WAN IFRA Speaker on Newsroom Summit x2 & Judge Digital Media Awards May 2022
Presenter/Journalist BBC Radio 4 (May - April 2022)
Pitched & presented Radio 4 Documentary “Culture on the Couch” (Available on BBC Sounds now) Documentary led to curriculum and policy changes.
BBC
Senior Digital News Editor, BBC News (Oct 16 - Sept 2021)
At the BBC Ramaa pioneered a digital education for leaders including c-suite exectives. Ramaa drove new digital innovations, editorial strategies, investigations as well as award winning digital and Social Media strategies. In her last role Ramaa led an effective ‘hearts and minds’ approach to transformation in the news division comprising of 8,000 journalists. Specifics: -
During the Pandemic: -
︎ Pitched and led an award winning digital covid response for UK diaspora audiences in 5 South Asian Languages across BBC as well as partner stations
︎ Pitched and delivered a bespoke Race & Inclusion programme to the Executive Board. Made up of 3 workshops and follow up(s) helping the board navigate and understand the complex issues around race and inclusion from an editorial and staff perspective. Feedback from board members “powerful.”
︎ Commissioned & delivered programming from the BBC’s first Digital Creative Diversity Festival. Including programmes “Beyond yellow casting,” and “Black & Scottish,”
︎ Presented 45 minute segment called "Brown girls on the rise" - exploring cultural conflicts and lack of culturally sensitive mental health services. The programme led to an official review of processes in one Bradford Hospital.
Pre Pandemic:
︎ Led a digital transformation programme. Drove a new editorial agenda to reach underserved audiences and new experimental working practices in the newsroom. Won hearts and minds to ensure the change initiated sticks. Worked with 500 journalists across 14 teams including Online, Milbank and 6&10 O’clock news bulletin teams
︎ Commissioned and executive producer on multimedia Investigation “Hidden problem of Alcohol abuse in Panjabi communities” Featured on Victoria Derbyshire, Asian Network Debate show, BBC News Online (1.5 million hits) and bespoke products for Social media.
︎ Launched the first ever “Coding Journalism” scholarship, which involved training journalists to code and create digital products.
︎ Managed a budget of £1m and a team of 10 senior multidisciplinary staff, Including 3 Assistant Editors, News Editor and Video journalists.
︎ BBC Coach - providing coaching to Editors & Executives at the BBC Head of Social Media & Mobile, BBC World Service, London (Nov 2013 – Oct 2016)
︎ Produced global audience growth and engagement strategies for new digital platforms. Pioneered the first ‘social first’ newsrooms for World Service as a part of new investment (290 million in total)
︎ Devised and implemented a World Service Social Media strategy to work across 29 Language services. Worked with local teams to tailor strategies where necessary.
︎ Launched new editorial initiatives including Social Media investigations pilot with BBC Russian and pop up ‘Facebook only’ Thai Service. Led a Hackathon with the Product team in Bangkok.
︎ Produced and led an award winning social media strategy for the 100 women project. Including content planning, editing and managing a multidisciplinary team of 10 journalists during live events.
︎ Devised and implemented a Mobile strategy. Mobile traffic grew by 43% across Language services
︎ Commissioned new digital tools for the World Service and bespoke training for teams
︎ Managed a budget £650,000 News Executive, BBC News, London (Oct –January 2016) (Secondment)
︎ News rep on the committee for the Online Creative Review –public facing project commissioned by Director General Tony Hall
︎ Carried out consultations with internal and external stakeholders locally and in the US
︎ Commissioned digital research and audits - ascertained waste and growth potential on the BBC News Website
︎ Provided recommendations for innovation, growth and improvements to the BBC Website for Exec Board Digital Editor, BBC World Service (Hindi) & BBC News Online, Delhi, (Jan 2013 – Sept 13)
︎ Led an editorial team of 40 World Service journalists in the BBC’s Delhi bureau
︎ Devised and delivered a new inclusive content strategy and ‘digital first’ ways of working to a radio operation.
︎ Commissioned stories daily and multimedia series across BBC News Online and BBC Hindi called “Digital Indians”
︎ Implemented an effective content and social media strategy. Doubled mobile/desktop traffic to the BBC Hindi site and increased social traffic and referral rate from Facebook and Twitter by 200%.
Digital Consultant, BBC College of Journalism, London, (Apr 2009 – Dec 2012)
︎ Produced and provided the first social media and digital training/consultancy to Senior managers and editors.
︎ Pitched and delivered the first digital leadership courses to editors and WS Board at the BBC. Controller remarked the course was “Excellent”
Senior Multimedia Journalist BBC RELIGION & ETHICS, London, (Sept 2009 – April 2009)
Produced, complied and curated the a circuit of content a weekly basis servicing 40 radio stations.
Produced exclusive multimedia series on the anniversary of the Kindertransport for the local radio network.
Tri-media Reporter/Presenter BBC LONDON, London, (Sept 2006 – 2008)
As a video journalist produced packages for Online and TV News bulletins. Wrote and published original journalism to BBC London website & reported for BBC London radio. Also stood in for Sunday programmes presenters.
Radio Presenter BBC ASIAN NETWORK, various News programmes across the network, (Aug 2005 – Apr 2006)
Radio Presenter/BA BBC RADIO STOKE, Staffordshire, (May 2003 – Sept 2005)
Presenter Asian programming & early breakfast programmes. Reporter including of award winning radio packages on diversity.
Awards & Recognition
︎ Gillard Award for Emergency Covid information service in South Asian Languages (2021)
︎ Awarded Clore Fellowship Senior Leadership programme (September 2018-2019)
︎ Nominated in the Best investigation category (Alcohol abuse project) 2018 - Asian Media Awards
︎ Awarded Gracie for 100 Women Digital & Social Media Project (March 2016)
︎ Awarded BBC Women in Leadership scheme 2015/2016
︎ Listed one of 50 top women digital innovators 2013 by Journalism.co.uk.
︎ Awarded Gold Gillard for Diversity reporting, 2005 (Radio award)
︎ Awarded BBC News Sponsorship (Scholarship Post grad diploma)
Education
︎ Executive Coaching Certificate Ashridge Executive Education Hult Business School, 2017
︎ BBC Coaching Certificate
︎ PG DIP Broadcast Journalism, City University, London, 2005 (Scholarship)
︎ BA (Hons.) Media– Broadcast pathway, (2.1) Westminster University, London, 2000-2003