Gillian Tett

US Editor-at-Large & Chair of the Editorial Board for the Financial Times, Provost of King’s College Cambridge & Author of ‘Anthro-Vision’, ‘The Silo Effect’ & ‘Fool’s Gold’

Gillian Tett’s Biography:

Gillian Tett is one of the world’s most respected economic journalists, renowned for her ability to explain complex financial, political and societal trends to global audiences. As Chair of the Editorial Board and US Editor-at-Large of the Financial Times, as well as Co-Founder of Moral Money, she has built an outstanding reputation for analysing the forces shaping the modern world. Best known for her prescient reporting ahead of the 2008 financial crisis, Gillian combines deep expertise in economics, finance and geopolitics with a unique anthropological perspective. Her ability to connect seemingly unrelated developments makes her a highly sought-after keynote speaker for organisations navigating uncertainty and change.

Gillian began her career at the Financial Times in 1993 as a correspondent before rising through a succession of influential editorial roles. She served as Tokyo Bureau Chief, gaining first-hand insight into Asian financial markets and international business. Returning to London, she became Deputy Head of the prestigious Lex column and later held senior leadership positions, including US Managing Editor. Alongside her journalism, Gillian conducted ethnographic research on major financial institutions, including JP Morgan, bringing anthropological methods into the study of business and finance. Her distinctive approach to understanding organisations and markets has shaped both her reporting and thought leadership throughout her career.

An accomplished author, Gillian has written several bestselling books, including ‘Saving the Sun’, ‘Fool’s Gold’, ‘The Silo Effect’ and ‘Anthro-Vision’. ‘Fool’s Gold’ earned the Spear’s Financial Book of the Year Award and cemented her reputation as one of the foremost chroniclers of the global financial crisis. Her achievements have been recognised with numerous honours, including Journalist of the Year and Columnist of the Year at the British Press Awards, the Society of American Business Editors & Writers Award for Best Feature Article, the President’s Medal of the British Academy and the Tepper School of Business Award for Professional Excellence. In 2024, she was appointed OBE for Services to Economic Journalism.

Beyond her journalism, Gillian serves as Provost of King’s College, Cambridge, reflecting her standing as a leading public intellectual. She has spoken for organisations including WIRED UK, Bloomberg, Churchill College and The Energy Disruptors UNITE Summit. Drawing on decades of experience covering global markets, corporate culture and societal change, she delivers insightful and thought-provoking presentations that help audiences understand emerging risks, identify opportunities and prepare for the future.

Why Hire Gillian Tett?

Gillian Tett offers audiences a rare combination of world-class journalism, anthropological insight and economic expertise. Her keynote presentations explore the interconnected worlds of finance, business, politics and culture, helping leaders understand how major trends develop and why organisations often miss critical warning signs. Drawing on decades of reporting from the front lines of global events, she provides practical lessons on risk, innovation, organisational behaviour and decision-making. Whether addressing executives, policymakers or industry professionals, Gillian delivers intellectually rigorous and highly engaging talks that challenge conventional thinking and inspire new perspectives.

Gillian Tett’s Career Highlights:

Here are some of the key milestones that define Gillian Tett’s remarkable career:

• 2024 – Appointed OBE for Services to Economic Journalism in recognition of her outstanding contribution to business and financial reporting.
• 2023 – Appointed Provost of King’s College, Cambridge, becoming one of the institution’s senior academic leaders.
• 2021 – Published ‘Anthro-Vision: How Anthropology Can Explain Business & Life’, applying anthropological insights to modern organisations.
• 2020 – Moral Money won the Newsletter category award, recognising its influence in sustainable finance journalism.
• 2019 – Moral Money was named among the Best in Business Honourees for its coverage of environmental, social and governance issues.
• 2017 – Won Foreign Commentator of the Year and received the Tepper School of Business Award for Professional Excellence from Carnegie Mellon University.
• 2015 – Published ‘The Silo Effect’, a bestselling examination of organisational behaviour and business structures.
• 2012 – Won the Society of American Business Editors & Writers Award for Best Feature Article and was named Business Communicator of the Year by the UK Speechwriters’ Guild.
• 2009 – Received Financial Book of the Year for Fool’s Gold, her acclaimed analysis of the global financial crisis.
• 1997 – Became Tokyo Bureau Chief for the Financial Times, leading coverage of Asian business, finance and economics.