About Bit Famous
Why are we called Bit Famous?
Bit Famous was founded in 2020 by Penny Haslam and Steve Blears. The origin of the name Bit Famous lies in our career backgrounds in broadcasting. We used to be a "bit famous" and have worked at the highest levels of TV and Radio broadcasting in news, current affairs and factual programming.
Today we share the skills we've learned from years of working in TV and Radio to help businesses and organisations communicate with confidence.
Penny Haslam, MD and Founder
Penny Haslam is a former BBC business journalist and regular presenter on national television and radio. Her broadcast credits include BBC Breakfast, the BBC News Channel, Panorama, Radio 4 and Radio 5 Live.
Today, Penny coaches and trains clients of Bit Famous, helping leaders and teams communicate with confidence, increase their visibility and make a stronger impact at work.
She is also an award-winning motivational speaker on the topics of visibility and confidence. In 2025, she was named the Professional Speaking Association Speaker of Excellence, an award granted to just one speaker each year.
Penny is the author of the business book Make Yourself a Little Bit Famous and Panel Discussions - The Ultimate Guide.
Steve Blears, Director
Steve Blears is a former national news journalist, with reporting credits for BBC Radio 1’s Newsbeat, Radio 5 Live and Radio 4’s Today. He went on to build a successful career as a TV director and producer, working on prime-time programmes for Channel 4, BBC, UKTV and Sky.
Today, Steve is a director of Bit Famous, where he provides training and coaching for media appearances, on-camera confidence and confident communication. He works closely with new clients joining Bit Famous, helping them shape the right support for their teams and leaders.
Steve also produces the business’s podcasts, blogs and newsletters.
Penny Haslam
Professional Speaking Association
Speaker of Excellence
2025
Finalist
Personnel Today
Learning and Development
Supplier of the Year
2025
Finalist
Personnel Today
Learning and Development Supplier of the Year
2024
Finalist
Business Book Awards
Short Business Book
of the year
2023
Finalist
Lloyds Bank Business Excellence Awards
Business Enabler
of the year
2022
Bit Famous Director Steve Blears & MD Penny Haslam.
Finalists in the Personnel Today Awards 2024 and 2025 - Learning and Development Supplier of the Year.
Penny Haslam - Speaker of Excellence 2025
Penny has been awarded the title of PSAE – Professional Speaker of Excellence. It's the industry association’s highest award, granted to members who have consistently demonstrated speaking excellence and professionalism in everything they do. Known as the organisation’s Speaker Hall of Fame, it’s an accolade only granted to one speaker each year.
Penny Haslam - Finalist in the Business Book Awards 2023 for Panel Discussions - The Ultimate Guide.
Bit Famous MD Penny Haslam & Director Steve Blears.
Finalists in the Lloyds Bank British Business Excellence Awards 2022
