Acting Lex Columnist

Location: London About us The Financial Times is one of the world’s leading news organisations, globally recognised for its authority, integrity and accuracy, with a mission to deliver quality information and services worldwide. At the FT, curiosity thrives and ambitious thinking is rewarded. Here, you’re given the chance to reach millions, create work that matters and deliver impartial journalism in a polarised world. In our warm, collaborative culture, you’ll connect with a diverse community of experts who support your growth, career aspirations and wellbeing. Your future at the FT will be filled with opportunities that challenge and inspire you. With no fixed path, you’ll discover new skills and forge a career that can take you anywhere. Build a newsworthy career at the FT. Our commitment to inclusion and fairness We believe everyone should have a fair opportunity to contribute, succeed, and reach their full potential. That means ensuring everyone is heard, respected, and valued, while identifying and removing barriers that may get in the way. Our commitment is to be an employer role model, grounded in inclusion and fairness for all. We want every application to receive fair and thoughtful consideration; therefore, all applications are reviewed by a member of our recruitment team, not by AI. The role This is an opportunity for a UK-based financial journalist to cover a period of parental leave at the FT’s award-winning Lex opinion column. At Lex we write views on companies and markets. No hot takes — only concise, deeply informed, analytical notes on big business, public and private markets and what makes finance tick. We are looking for a numerate, naturally curious writer who wants to provoke debate with well-reported insights. The Lex column is central to the FT’s premium subscription strategy, and reaches an influential, engaged global audience. Sector expertise is welcome, but we'll also want to see that you are an all-rounder. We’ll help you hone your ability to write punchy, directional and entertaining opinion. What you will bring to the role Analytical rigor: A strong grasp of corporate reporting, accounting, and the mechanics of M&A and earnings. Conviction: The ability to generate clear, directional, and deeply reported views, backed up with numbers. Intellectual agility: A fearless approach to untangling complex, unfamiliar topics. Source management: A knack for conducting difficult, probing and diplomatic conversations with high-level sources. Ambition: A drive to make a tangible impact, both in the market and within the FT newsroom. Please submit your application by the end of the day, Thursday 19th November 2026. The use of AI Original reporting, great writing and intelligent commentary lie at the heart of FT journalism. Our readers trust us to produce quality journalism that is accurate, fair and insightful. This is why FT editorial staff do not by default use artificial intelligence (AI) tools to write articles or create other reader-facing content. For specific and pre-approved cases, AI can be harnessed for certain tasks, such as assisting data research for investigations. We expect applicants to the FT newsroom to refrain from using AI in their test submissions, and any written materials should be a genuine reflection of their own knowledge, skills and experiences. We encourage candidates only to employ AI as a tool to help with research and interview readiness for a role. Candidates should be aware that the use of AI throughout the application process is monitored to ensure a fair and transparent hiring process for all. What’s in it for you? Our benefits Our benefits vary by location but we are committed to providing best-in-class perks across all our offices. These include generous annual leave, medical cover, inclusive parental leave packages, subsidised gym memberships and opportunities to give back to the community. Full details of our benefits are available here. FT Newsroom staff are expected to work onsite a minimum of three days per week, subject to role requirements and regular review. While flexible working requests will be considered, not all patterns are suitable for Editorial roles. Accessibility We are a disability confident employer and Valuable 500 signatory. Please let us know if you require any reasonable adjustments/personalisation as part of the application process or to enable you to attend an interview. If you would like to discuss your requirements or have any questions, email talent@ft.com and a member of our team will be happy to help. *LI-RS1