Breaking the Glass Ceiling at the FT
In a headline‑making move, Roula Khalaf will step onto the editorial stage at the Financial Times, becoming the first woman to steer the paper’s 131‑year legacy. This change comes after Lionel Barber—the veteran behind 14 years of newsroom wizardry—announced his resignation in January.
Who Is Roula Khalaf?
- Current Deputy Editor
- Former Foreign Editor and Middle East Editor
- More than two decades of FT experience
- Passionate about boosting diversity and drawing in a stronger female readership
“It’s a huge honor to lead the FT, the world’s greatest news organization. I’m excited to build on Lionel’s extraordinary legacy,” Khalaf said. Her past stint at Forbes even earned her a cameo in Martin Scorsese’s The Wolf of Wall Street (her take on Jordan Belfort was a tad “Robin Hood with a client list”).
Historical Context
Only two other women have topped the mastheads of UK broadsheets: Katharine Viner at The Guardian and Jill Abramson at The New York Times (before she stepped down). Khalaf’s appointment adds a remarkable layer to the growing list of female leaders in British and global journalism.
Academic & Early Career Highlights
- Master’s from Columbia University
- Bachelor’s from Syracuse University
- Forbes editorial role in New York pre‑FT
What’s Next for the FT?
Under Barber’s steely leadership, the FT rode the wave of shifting media habits successfully, shifting >75% of its circulation into digital. Now, with Khalaf at the helm, the focus will be on expanding the paper’s global reach and deepening its partnership with Japan’s Nikkei, the new owner since 2015.
“Khalaf’s sound judgment and integrity made her the clear choice,” Tsuneo Kita, Nikkei chairman, said in a statement. “We’re excited to collaborate closely with her to elevate our global media network.”
Barber, meanwhile, reflected on his time at the FT. “I was a strategic thinker and a true internationalist, and I’m genuinely saddened to see this chapter close,” he told Nikkei. “But we both agree it’s the perfect moment to start a fresh chapter.”
Looking Ahead
With a sharper focus on digital growth, diverse voices, and international coverage, the FT under Khalaf promises to keep readers connected to the ever‑evolving financial landscape—while breaking another historical record in the process.
