Rachel Riley

Rachel Riley is the long-standing resident mathematician on Countdown, where she manages the letters and numbers rounds for one of British television's most enduring puzzles. Having secured her role at the age of 22 by outperforming 1,000 other candidates, she has since become a fixture of Channel 4's schedule, appearing both on the daytime institution and its comedic counterpart, 8 Out Of 10 Cats Does Countdown. An Oxford graduate in applied mathematics, Riley transitioned into broadcasting following a background in statistical analysis and finance, including a placement at Deutsche Bank. Beyond the studio, she is a prominent voice in science and technology programming, having co-hosted The Gadget Show and It’s Not Rocket Science. A passionate sports enthusiast, she has also featured on Sky Sports’ Friday Night Football and Football Focus. In 2023, her contributions to society were formally recognised when she was appointed an MBE for her work in Holocaust education and antisemitism awareness. She further received the Freedom of the City of London in 2025 for her dedication to these educational causes. Riley is a committed advocate for STEM education, working with the Premier League Primary Stars programme to improve numeracy among young people. She frequently uses her platform to demonstrate the real-world application of mathematics, making her a highly relevant speaker for audiences interested in data, education, and the power of logical thinking. Her professional delivery and ability to simplify complex concepts make her an exceptional choice for corporate and educational events. On stage, Rachel Riley is best known for talks on Mathematics, Television Presenting and Stem Education. Audiences leave with a clear, practical view of the subject rather than a generic overview — every keynote is shaped around the brief and the room. Their work resonates with leaders across Education and Entertainment, where the themes translate directly into team decisions, customer experience and growth strategy. Rachel Riley is regularly booked for Performers and Entertainer and Awards Hosts, adapting tone, length and format to suit the event — from a 20-minute opener to a full conference keynote with Q&A. Based in UK, Rachel Riley travels internationally for engagements. To check availability or request a tailored brief for your event, send an enquiry and we'll come back with fees, dates and a short summary of how Rachel Riley would approach your audience.