FT names new Brussels bureau chief

The Financial Times named Alex Barker as its Brussels bureau chief on Monday, replacing Peter Spiegel, who assumes the role of FT news editor, based in London.

Barker has spent the last five years in Brussels working as the FT’s European diplomatic editor and EU correspondent. Prior to that, he spent four years as a UK political correspondent in Westminster.

“Alex is a tenacious reporter whose agenda-setting coverage has become a must-read for the FT’s audience,” said FT editor Lionel Barber in a statement. “I am delighted that he has accepted the role as Brussels bureau chief, where he will lead the team’s award-winning coverage of Europe’s migrant crisis and Britain’s relationship with the EU.”

Barker started his career in current affairs television. After receiving a masters degree at Columbia University, he joined the FT as a graduate trainee in 2005. His reporting stints have included covering a U.S. presidential campaign and a constitutional crisis in Turkey.

The FT’s coverage of Europe and the eurozone financial crisis, including the series How The Euro Was Saved, has consistently topped the most-read topics on FT.com this decade. In 2012, 2013 and 2015, the FT Brussels team won recognition for its eurozone coverage by the Society of American Business Editors and Writers.

Last month, Gideon Rachman, the FT’s chief foreign affairs commentator, was named commentator of the year by the European Press Prize, which recognizes the highest achievements in European journalism.