FT editor Barber receives award for financial journalism contribution

FT editor Lionel Barber has received The Media Society Annual Award for his outstanding contribution to financial journalism.

“Lionel’s great achievement has been to bring the FT from a great legacy newspaper to being a modern global multi-platform one,” said Media Society president Peter York. “At the same time as maintaining standards with a scrupulous regard for truth.”

Barber was appointed as editor of the Financial Times in 2005 after 20 years in various posts across the FT, including Brussels correspondent, Washington correspondent and U.S. managing editor. Prior to joining the FT, Lionel held positions at The Scotsman, The Washington Post and The Sunday Times.

As the FT’s editor, Barber has interviewed some of the world’s most important figures, including Barack Obama, Donald Trump, Angela Merkel and Vladimir Putin. During his time as editor the FT’s paid-for readership has surpassed 910,000.

On receiving his award, Barber said: “Truth is I don’t see myself as a financial journalist, but as a courageous newsman trying to connect the dots between finance, politics and business. Being editor is part rock band manager; part guardian of the gold standard. My job is to keep creative people happy, but also to protect editorial integrity and quality. I’m deeply flattered, thank you.”