Return part of one's (sumptuous) salary, after the controversy over its size. It happened at John Ridling, managing director of the Financial Times, the prestigious English financial newspaper taken over in 2015 by the Japanese publishing group Nikkei for the sum of 1,14 billion euros. "The new ownership has recognized me a high remuneration in an absolutely independent way, and the sum is strongly linked to performance", specified the manager before deciding to give in to pressure from the editorial staff and to return almost 3 million euros to the coffers of the newspaper : to be precise, 2,6 million pounds, equal to 2,9 million euros. A considerable sum, of the return of which all journalists were informed through an email sent this morning by Ridling himself, according to what Reuters reported.
"Although our accounts are solid - added the general manager of the FT - I recognize that the increase in my income in 2017 was perceived as an anomaly and created concern among the staff". Last year alone, Ridling cashed in a raise of more than half a million euros (€570.000), which he decided to reinvest entirely in the paper. This money, together with the others to reach the figure of almost 3 million, they will be intended to facilitate women's access to the top levels of the company and to reduce wage differences between men and women in the newsroom. “What is left over will be used to help achieve the group's financial goals,” Ridling said.
The union of journalists welcomed the decision, insisting however that the figure - according to them - is not high enough. In a statement the editorial board calls for better treatment for interns and for salary adjustments to inflation for all employees. Reporters also ask that general manager Ridling disclose his salary for 2018 and any bonuses he will receive this year.
