Zeinab was a broadcast journalist for Yorkshire TV (1982-1986) and then went on to work for BBC Manchester until 1987. From 1988 she was a news reporter and presenter at Channel 4 News, ITN for ten years. In 1999 she became a BBC presenter and reporter for Westminster live political programmes, BBC World Service Radio and TV. She is also Chair of the Africa Medical Partnership Fund (AfriMed), Board Member of the Institute of contemporary British History at London University, Committee Member of the British Belgian bi-lateral conferences, Trustee of the BBC World Service Trust and Vice-President for the United Nations. In 2003 she became a member of the FCO’s Public Diplomacy Strategy Board.

In February 2004 she hosted a radio 3 special on the politics and culture of the Arabian Peninsula. Her current project is a four part BBC radio series on the cultures and civilisations of the ‘Nilelands’.

Born in Sudan, Zeinab was educated at St Hilda’s College, Oxford University where she was an undergraduate in philosophy politics and economics. She also studied at the School of Oriental and African Studies, London University where she holds a Masters Degree in Politics and Anthropology of Middle East (thesis on Palestine) - awarded with a distinction. She speaks fluent Arabic and is married with two sons and two daughters and her interests include family, opera, reading and cinema.