- Job Title: Companies Writer, Investors Chronicle
- Company: Financial Times
- Location: London, United Kingdom
- Job Type: Full-time, Hybrid (2-3 days onsite)
- Category: Journalism, Financial Services
- Date Posted: April 29, 2025
- Experience Level: Mid-level (2-5 years)
🚀 Job Overview
Key aspects of this role include:
- Creating engaging content on quoted companies and the investment industry
- Interpreting financial statements and turning technical subject matter into accessible copy
- Interviewing industry leaders and contributing to reader engagement initiatives
- Collaborating with teams to plan content and grow online audiences
ASSUMPTION: This role requires a strong understanding of financial markets and the ability to translate complex information into clear, engaging content for a retail investor audience.
📋 Key Responsibilities
- ✅ Turn company reports and technical subject matter into dynamic, engaging content for retail investors
- ✅ Produce data-led content advising readers about companies and sector trends
- ✅ Interview FTSE 100 chief executives, finance directors, equity analysts, and fund managers
- ✅ Supply a wide range of articles, including news, results analysis, comment, and features
- ✅ Ensure content is fresh, actionable, agenda-setting, authoritative, relevant, and accessible to newer investors
- ✅ Work closely with teams to discuss content ideas and plan output for both website and magazine
- ✅ Contribute to reader engagement initiatives and help improve reader engagement with content
- ✅ Work with the digital editor to grow online audiences
ASSUMPTION: The role requires a proactive approach to news gathering, strong organizational skills, and the ability to work well under deadline pressure.
🎯 Required Qualifications
- Education: Bachelor's degree in Journalism, Finance, Economics, or a related field
- Experience: Proven experience in corporate writing, financial journalism, or a related role (2-5 years)
- Required Skills:
- Strong analytical skills to interpret financial statements and draw well-argued conclusions
- Excellent writing skills to create engaging content for a retail investor audience
- Curiosity about the corporate world and investment
- Proven experience in corporate writing and/or analysis
- Preferred Skills:
- Familiarity with investment industry trends and key players
- Experience using data visualization tools to create engaging content
- Proficiency in using content management systems (CMS)
ASSUMPTION: Candidates with experience in equity markets and investment would have a clear advantage in this role.
💰 Compensation & Benefits
- Salary Range: £35,000 - £45,000 per annum (based on industry standards for mid-level financial journalists in London)
- Benefits:
- Generous annual leave
- Medical cover
- Inclusive parental leave packages
- Subsidised gym memberships
- Opportunities to give back to the community
- Working Hours: Full-time (40 hours per week), with flexible working pattern requests considered
ASSUMPTION: The salary range provided is an estimate based on industry standards and may vary depending on the candidate's experience and qualifications.
📌 Applicant Insights
🔍 Company Context
- Industry: Newspaper Publishing, with a focus on business news and financial information
- Company Size: 1,001-5,000 employees
- Founded: 1888 (as a newspaper; the Financial Times was first published in 1884)
- Company Description: The Financial Times is a global business news organization, recognized internationally for its authority, integrity, and accuracy. It offers a broad range of information, news, and services for the global business community.
- Company Specialties: One of the world’s leading business news organizations
📊 Role Analysis
- Career Level: Mid-level (2-5 years of experience)
- Reporting Structure: This role reports directly to the Editor of Investors Chronicle
- Work Arrangement: Hybrid (2-3 days onsite, with remote work available)
- Growth Opportunities:
- Opportunities to cover breaking news and develop expertise in specific sectors
- Potential to progress to senior roles within the Financial Times or the wider Nikkei Inc. group
ASSUMPTION: This role offers opportunities for career growth and development within a global organization.
🌍 Location & Work Environment
- Office Type: Modern, collaborative offices in central London
- Office Location(s): 1 Friday Street, Bracken House, London, EC4M 9BT, United Kingdom
- Geographic Context: London is a major global financial hub, with a vibrant and diverse business community
- Work Schedule: Flexible, with core hours of 10:00 AM - 4:00 PM
ASSUMPTION: The role may require working outside of core hours to cover breaking news or attend events.
💼 Interview & Application Insights
- Typical Process: Online application → Phone/Video screening → In-person or video interview → Final decision
- Key Assessment Areas: Writing samples, financial knowledge, industry awareness, and cultural fit
- Application Tips:
- Tailor your resume and cover letter to highlight your relevant experience and skills
- Prepare examples of your writing on financial or business topics
- Research the Financial Times and Investors Chronicle to demonstrate your familiarity with the organization and its content
🛠️ Tools & Technologies
- Content management systems (CMS)
- Financial data platforms (e.g., Bloomberg, FactSet, Refinitiv)
- Microsoft Office Suite
- Google Workspace
👔 Cultural Fit Considerations
- Company Values: Integrity, Accuracy, Curiosity, Independence, and Fairness
- Work Style: Collaborative, fast-paced, and deadline-driven, with a focus on accuracy and impartiality
- Self-Assessment Questions:
- How do you ensure your writing maintains the high standards of accuracy and integrity expected by the Financial Times?
- How do you balance the need for speed in breaking news with the importance of thorough research and fact-checking?
- How do you approach working collaboratively with teams to plan and deliver content?
⚠️ Potential Challenges
- The role may require working under tight deadlines to cover breaking news or financial results
- The investment industry can be complex and fast-paced, requiring continuous learning and adaptation
- The role may involve dealing with sensitive information and managing relationships with senior executives and other stakeholders
📈 Similar Roles Comparison
- Comparison Point 1: Companies Writer vs. Financial Journalist - The Companies Writer role focuses more on quoted companies and the investment industry, while a Financial Journalist role may cover a broader range of financial topics.
- Comparison Point 2: Industry-specific context - The investment industry is dynamic and fast-paced, with a constant flow of news and developments. This role requires a strong understanding of the industry and the ability to quickly adapt to changing circumstances.
- Comparison Point 3: Career path comparison - This role offers opportunities for career growth and development within the Financial Times or the wider Nikkei Inc. group, with potential progression to senior roles in journalism or other areas of the business.
📝 Sample Projects
- Writing a news article on a company's financial results and providing analysis and commentary on the implications for investors
- Conducting an interview with a senior executive and turning their insights into a feature article for the magazine or website
- Creating a data-led piece on sector trends, using visualizations to illustrate key findings and insights
❓ Key Questions to Ask During Interview
- What are the most important qualities you're looking for in a candidate for this role?
- How does this role fit into the broader content strategy for Investors Chronicle and the Financial Times?
- What opportunities are there for career growth and development within the organization?
- How does the team support each other in delivering high-quality content under deadline pressure?
📌 Next Steps for Applicants
To apply for this position:
- Submit your application through [this link](https://job-boards.eu.greenhouse.io/financialtimes33/jobs/4581313101)
- Tailor your resume and cover letter to highlight your relevant experience and skills
- Prepare examples of your writing on financial or business topics
- Research the Financial Times and Investors Chronicle to demonstrate your familiarity with the organization and its content
- Follow up with a polite email inquiry if you haven't heard back after two weeks
⚠️ This job description contains AI-assisted information. Details should be verified directly with the employer before making decisions.
