Tanya Beckett was born 11 July 1966 in Maldon, Essex, England. She grew up with one brother and developed strong academic interests in science and economics during her school years.

She attended Redland High School for Girls in Bristol before studying Metallurgy and Materials Science at Pembroke College, Oxford, where she also earned a fencing “Blue.” After graduating, she worked as a research scientist and investment banker, spending several years at Citibank in London and Commerzbank in Frankfurt.

Beckett later transitioned into journalism and joined CNBC Europe in 1993 as a business and political reporter. She went on to work for NBC Europe, Sky News, CNN International, and News Direct Radio, reporting on global financial markets and politics.

In 1998, she joined BBC News, where she became a regular presenter on programmes including Working Lunch, BBC Breakfast, and World Business Report. She also presented Talking Business and the BBC World Service programme The Inquiry, reporting on global economics and international affairs.