FT names new markets editor and reporter in New York

The Financial Times announced Thursday that it has named two business reporters to new positions in its New York office.

Michael Mackenzie has been named U.S. markets editor. Mackenzie will lead the FT’s coverage and analysis of US stocks, bonds, commodities, foreign exchange, derivatives, wealth and fund management.

Mackenzie was formerly US markets correspondent for the FT and in 2008 was part of a team honored by the Society of American Business Editors and Writers (SABEW) with a Best in Business award for their coverage of US markets and the Federal Reserve. Before joining the FT in 2006, he covered capital markets for Dow Jones Newswires. Prior to entering journalism, he was an interest rate swap options broker for Tullett & Tokyo, serving in their Tokyo, New York, Toronto, London and Hong Kong offices.

Shahien Nasiripour has been named a financial and regulatory correspondent. In this role, he will work closely with journalists in New York and Washington to report on how US legislation impacts business and finance, with an added focus on housing and financial firms.

Nasiripour previously served as chief business correspondent for The Huffington Post and as a reporter for the Center for Investigative Reporting, the South Florida Sun-Sentinel and The Providence Journal.

The business paper also named Christine Spolar as investigations and special projects editor in London.

“I am pleased to announce these appointments, each of which shows that the FT continues to attract the most talented minds in journalism,” said Gillian Tett, the U.S. managing editor for the FT, in a statement. “With their unique backgrounds and global perspectives, Christine, Michael and Shahien embody the FT’s commitment to providing the sharpest and clearest voices on world news, especially amid a global financial crisis.”