Financial Times Group 2012 results released

The FT Group performed well in the Pearson 2012 results, with revenue growth up 4% year on year to £443m. Digital and services now account for 50% of FT Group revenues, up from 31% in 2008. Content revenues comprised 61% of total revenues, up from 48% in 2008, while advertising accounted for 39% FT Group revenues, down from 52% in 2008.

Key highlights: Read more

Financial Times content now available on new HTC BlinkFeed news aggregator

The Financial Times is partnering with HTC for the launch of HTC BlinkFeed, a news aggregator available on the new HTC One smartphones devices, offering select FT content for free.

HTC BlinkFeed brings content to the device’s home screen, enabling users to see content that is most interesting to them without having to open a series of apps. It offers instant access to a continuous feed of aggregated content, including daily blog posts and videos from the Financial Times. A limited amount of FT content is free, but readers will have to register and subscribe if they wish to read further articles. Read more

Financial Times to host new technology conference in partnership with Facebook

London, 8 February 2013: The Financial Times will tomorrow host its first technology conference aimed at advanced web developers and browser vendors, Edge. The FT has worked with Facebook to deliver the event, which is curated by the Financial Times’ web development and application company, FT Labs, hosted by Facebook and is also supported by Google.

FT Labs Director Andrew Betts said: “Edge is a new kind of event, something different to the normal tech conference. We have curated seven sessions on different aspects of advanced web technologies and panellists have been hand picked to offer a diverse range of perspectives and experience. We also vetted delegates, choosing those we thought would be best able to contribute to the discussion. Edge is designed to be a collaboration between all participants: panellists are there as much to learn from the delegates as the other way around.” Read more

Financial Times acquires Chinese research service

The Financial Times today announces its acquisition of Danwei Media Ltd, the Beijing-based research and analysis company. Danwei Media Ltd provides leading monitoring and analysis of Chinese media and consumer attitudes.

This acquisition will enhance the FT’s offering of premium market research on the Chinese investment landscape. It will also strengthen its relationship with financial investors and fund managers seeking more in-depth knowledge on the latest developments across vital sectors in China. The Financial Times’ premium research service China Confidential will work closely with Danwei’s team of talented analysts to bolster the FT’s custom research offering. Read more

Financial Times at the World Economic Forum in Davos

DAVOS: 23-25 January

At the 2013 World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland, the Financial Times was on the ground covering the event, participating as session leaders and hosting events to coincide with the annual meeting. Read more

Financial Times charity photography auction raises $250,000 in aid of The Global Fund for Children

30 January 2013: Last night in New York, the Financial Times and The Global Fund for Children hosted the first charity photography auction in the US, in association with Christie’s, to mark the finale of the FT’s 2012-2013 Seasonal Appeal. The evening raised $250,000 in aid of The Global Fund for Children, including match funding from the Pearson Foundation and GFC sponsors.

Acclaimed auctioneer Jussi Pylkkänen, head of Christie’s Europe, auctioned off 17 iconic photographs by Steve McCurry, Frank Worth, Robert Capa, Nadav Kander and others. Ranging from the 1950s to the present, photos included were “Ali Versus The Beatles,” a signed limited-edition print, Melvin Sokolsky’s “Bubble over New York, 1963,” which sold for $16,000, the stunning “Boy in Mid-Flight, 2007,”and recently published on the cover of Time magazine, a signed limited edition of a “Barack Obama III,” among others. View all of the photos sold at the auction at http://on.ft.com/charityauction. Read more

Financial Times appoints new Chief Financial Officer and Chief Operating Officer

The Financial Times has appointed Tas Viglatzis as Chief Financial Officer (CFO) and Board member, effective from the beginning of February.

As CFO, Tas will be responsible for ensuring the FT is on course to meet its financial targets, help shape company strategy, and identify and execute new acquisitions. He will contribute to the transformation of the FT as it continues to build new revenue streams and increase the efficiency of its operations. Read more

Financial Times and European Business Schools launch Global Board Ready Women database

New tool recognising high-achieving women in business
The Financial Times Non Executive Directors’ Club has partnered with the European Business Schools/Women on Board Initiative to create a database identifying high-achieving women in business. The Global Board Ready Women (GBRW) database allows companies to search over 8,000 highly qualified women ready to start a Board-level position.
Every candidate listed meets criteria set out by the European Business Schools/Women on Board initiative, which supports greater gender diversity on publicly quoted company boards in Europe.
The extensive database sits on global business platform, LinkedIn, and allows corporations and executive search companies to search a number of notable business women. It is managed by the Financial Times Non Executive Directors’ (NED) Club, which leads the way in supporting non-executives, offering them a variety of networking opportunities and providing up to date information on corporate governance issues.
Members of the FT NED Club can also take part in the FT NED Certificate, a mix of physical workshops and digital learning that aims to increase diversity on UK boards. It is the first ever fully accredited formal education product for Non-Exec Directors. For more information visit www.non-execs.com/certificate. Read more

Gillian Tett keynote remarks at the Knight-Bagehot 37th Anniversary Gala

Gillian Tett, Assistant Editor and Columnist, Financial Times, delivered the keynote speech at the Knight-Bagehot 37th Anniversary Gala in New York on October 24, 2012.

The Knight-Bagehot Fellowship in Business and Economics Journalism has helped mid-career journalists hone their reporting in the field for over thirty years. As a part of its fundraising efforts, the program hosts an annual gala dinner featuring a keynote speech from a leader in the business world. View video of the 2012 keynote speech. Read more