4 December 2020: The Financial Times has appointed Helen Thomas as business columnist, effective 1 March. In her new role, Thomas will write a daily business column covering the UK business sector. 

Thomas returns to the FT after eight years having spent four years at BBC Newsnight, where she was business editor, and three years at The Wall Street Journal, writing for their Heard on the Street column.

“Helen is an exceptional journalist and her experience and knowledge of the UK business landscape is second to none" said FT editor Roula Khalaf, commenting on the hire.

“The post-pandemic business environment will look radically different than before the start of the coronavirus crisis, and the FT will play an important role in helping corporate leaders and entrepreneurs navigate and thrive in the new normal" she continued.

Thomas added: "I'm delighted to be rejoining the Financial Times. Through the twists and turns of global business and politics, the FT has gone from strength to strength and I can't wait to be part of the very talented team there again."

Thomas first joined the Financial Times in 2004 and was part of the team that pioneered the launch of the FT’s popular markets blog FT Alphaville. She later wrote for the Lex column in New York, covering the fallout of the 2008 financial crisis. She also held the roles of US M&A correspondent and mining correspondent.