For the first time a woman becomes director of the largest financial newspaper in the world, His Majesty the Financial Times. Breaking the taboo that had lasted for 131 years - ie from the foundation of the newspaper - is Roula Khalaf, called to replace Lionel Barber, who resigned after 14 years at the helm of FT.
At the newsroom for 24 years and already an assistant editor since 2016, Khalaf has also previously been at the helm of the newspaper's international network, which has an army of more than 100 correspondents around the world. Previously, Khalaf had covered the Arab Spring for years.
“It is a great honor – commented the new director – I look forward to continuing Lionel Barber's extraordinary successes and I am grateful to him for his teachings over the years”.
Tsuneo Kita, president of Japan's Nikkei which bought the FT from Pearson in 2015, said Khalaf was chosen for her judgment and integrity. “We look forward to working closely with her to deepen our global media alliance.”
