Alan is a former BBC researcher, reporter and special correspondent. He joined the BBC in 1983, and reported for Radio 4’s Today Programme. He is the co-author of the acclaimed book The Death of Yugoslavia. Alan has reported for Baghdad, Kuwait, the former Yugoslavia, Johannesburg and Moscow. In 2014, Alan led the BBC’s coverage of the Scottish independence referendum. Alan is chair of the Edinburgh International Book Festival and has won several awards including a Sony Documentary Gold Award in 2000.