Financial Times leader refuses to discuss future

Marjorie Scardino, the head of the parent company of the Financial Times business newspaper, refused to answer questions about her future or the future of the company on Monday when it released its earnings.

Chris Tryhorn of the Guardian newspaper in England wrote, “Asked if she would still be at the group in a year’s time, the Pearson chief executive said these were ‘exciting’ times for the publishing industry.

“‘If you look at what’s happening in our market and what we are doing in it, it’s hard to think why anybody would not be enjoying this, and I surely am.’

“Ms Scardino has now clocked up 10 years as Pearson’s chief executive and last month turned 60, renewing speculation about her future.

“Chairman Glen Moreno has hinted that he is in no rush to see Ms Scardino depart, telling journalists at last year’s annual general meeting, ‘The succession is not a short-term issue at Pearson.’

“Today Ms Scardino, who famously once said she would sell the FT ‘over my dead body’, declined to comment on the paper’s future.

“‘We wouldn’t be discussing it publicly were we planning to sell it or not,’ she said. ‘It has the best team in newspapering and we’re very proud of what they’re doing.'”

Read more here.