Philippa Hanna is a British singer-songwriter of Christian pop and folk, from Yorkshire. Her first album, Watching Me, came out in 2007. She is known for Speed of Light, Come Back Fighting and My Hope Is in the Blood, and released the album Magnificent with Israel Houghton on Integrity Music in 2026.
Philippa Hanna is a singer and songwriter from Yorkshire, England. Her music blends pop, folk and country influences. Her first album, Watching Me, came out in 2007, followed by Taste (2009) and Through the Woods (2013), partly funded by a crowdfunding campaign. Speed of Light (2016) and Come Back Fighting (2017) came next. She performs solo and with a band, in churches and at festivals, including New Wine and Big Church Day Out.
She has opened for mainstream artists such as Lionel Richie, Leona Lewis, Wet Wet Wet and Little Mix, and appeared on the BBC's Songs of Praise in 2011 and 2013. She has also worked with Graham Kendrick and Kevin Max. On Integrity Music, she released Stained Glass Stories in 2020, then Magnificent in May 2026, with Israel Houghton. Since 2018 she has been the first artist in residence of the charity Compassion UK.
- Origin
- Yorkshire, UK
- Style
- Christian pop and folk, with a country influence
- Active since
- 2007 (first album, Watching Me)
- Good to know
- Integrity Music artist, first artist in residence of Compassion UK
How did Philippa Hanna begin?
Philippa Hanna released her first album, Watching Me, on December 23, 2007, on Resound Media. The label went on to release Taste (2009), Through the Woods (2013), Speed of Light (2016) and Come Back Fighting (2017). She also recorded an EP, Out of the Blue, in 2011, produced by Eliot Kennedy.
She built her name on stage: her website mentions more than 1,500 concerts. She sang Father on the BBC's Songs of Praise in January 2011, then Lighthouse in January 2013, and has played support slots for several British and international artists.
What makes Philippa Hanna distinctive?
Philippa Hanna moves between two audiences: general concert halls, where she opens for Lionel Richie, Leona Lewis or Little Mix, and churches and Christian festivals. Her writing stays close to pop and folk, with a country influence she names on her website. She has also published two books with Authentic Media, More (2009) and Following the Breadcrumbs (2013).
In July 2018, Compassion UK, a child development charity, named her its first artist in residence. She had already been an ambassador for the charity for more than ten years.
Where should you start to discover Philippa Hanna?
Start with Speed of Light and Come Back Fighting for her pop-folk side, then listen to Lighthouse, performed on the BBC in 2013. Continue with My Hope Is in the Blood and Oh The Power, released in 2020 on Integrity Music, before arriving at Magnificent (2026), recorded with Israel Houghton.
songs
Lighthouse
She sang it on the BBC's Songs of Praise in January 2013.
Speed of Light
The title song of her 2016 album, which she played acoustic on BBC Radio 2 in April that year.
Come Back Fighting
The title song of the album released in November 2017 on Resound Media.
My Hope Is in the Blood
A single released in May 2020 on Integrity Music, a few weeks before the album Stained Glass Stories.
Oh The Power
A June 2020 single, recorded with singer Steph Macleod.
Discography
- 2026Magnificent· With Israel Houghton
- 2020Stained Glass Stories
- 2017Come Back Fighting
- 2016Speed of Light
- 2013Through the Woods
- 2011Out of the Blue· EP
- 2009Taste
- 2007Watching Me
Read also
Frequently asked questions
Who is Philippa Hanna?
Philippa Hanna is a British singer-songwriter of Christian pop and folk, from Yorkshire. She released her first album, Watching Me, in 2007 and now records on Integrity Music.
Is Philippa Hanna a Christian artist?
Yes. She sings in churches and at Christian festivals, is signed to Integrity Music, has performed several songs on the BBC's Songs of Praise and is an ambassador for the charity Compassion UK.
What are Philippa Hanna's best known songs?
Among her most listened to songs are Speed of Light, Come Back Fighting, Lighthouse and My Hope Is in the Blood. Her recent repertoire also includes Oh The Power and the songs of the album Magnificent.
What is Philippa Hanna's latest album?
Her most recent album is Magnificent, released in May 2026 on Integrity Music with Israel Houghton. It was recorded live at RAK Studios in London and has ten tracks.
Which artists has Philippa Hanna played with?
She has played support slots for Lionel Richie, Leona Lewis, Wet Wet Wet and Little Mix, and has worked with Graham Kendrick, Kevin Max and Israel Houghton, with whom she recorded Magnificent.
Where can you listen to Philippa Hanna?
Her music is available on the main streaming platforms (Spotify, Apple Music) and on her official YouTube channel. Her website also lists her concert dates.