FT creates natural resources desk

The Financial Times has brought together its coverage of natural resources to tackle the big structural changes that will shape the industry over the next decade.

The FT’s reporting of commodity markets, the environment, oil and energy companies, as well as miners and independent commodity traders, is merged into a single team headed by Neil Hume, who takes on the newly created role of natural resources editor.

Hume was the commodities and mining editor, a role he has held since September 2013, covering the global commodities trade of natural resources such as crude oil, copper, wheat or coffee, and the political, economic and social implications of commodities.

“The energy transition, decarbonisation, and the rise of electric vehicles are huge trends that cannot be written about in isolation. By bringing together the FT’s expertise across these industries, we are in an even better position to cover the big topics that readers need to know about,” said FT editor Lionel Barber in a statement. “The creation of a global Natural Resources team will also promote more collaboration in the newsroom, which is critical to its evolution.”

In addition, David Sheppard has become energy editor, and will oversee the FT’s global coverage of energy markets, global environment issues, pan-European and domestic oil companies, OPEC and UK energy policy.

Sheppard brings 11 years of experience in global commodity markets to his new role, including covering commodity trends in the Middle East. In 2013, while at Reuters, he won the Gerald Loeb award for his part in coverage of Chesapeake Energy, looking into the CEO’s side-business hedge fund, which traded in the same products Chesapeake produces.

The new global natural resources team is joined by Leslie Hook, who is the environment and clean energy correspondent. She now covers the most important issues facing the energy industries as they undergo a major transformation in response to climate change and the rise of renewables.

Hook’s previous roles at the FT include San​ ​Francisco correspondent, Lex writer and Beijing correspondent. Prior to that she was at the Wall Street Journal.

Ed Crooks, U.S. industry and energy editor, continues in his current role covering companies and trends in the natural resources sector in the US, while Gregory Meyer in New York adds energy and commodities in Latin America to his focus on North America.

Anjli Raval takes on the role of senior energy correspondent in the UK, reporting on BP, Shell and Saudi Aramco, alongside wider oil market coverage, and Emiko Terazono, commodities correspondent, continues to cover agricultural commodities.

Henry Sanderson (@hjesanderson) remains metals and mining correspondent, following precious metals, diamonds and battery materials, as well as mining companies.

Sylvia Pfeifer (@sylviapfeifer), currently providing maternity cover for energy correspondent Nathalie Thomas (@NathalieThomas3), continues in her role.