Location
London

Hours
Full time, with weekend shifts required as part of the newsroom rota

Salary
Negotiable

About the Role
The Financial Times is one of the world’s leading news organisations, globally recognised for its authority, integrity and accuracy, with a mission to deliver quality information and services worldwide. At the FT, curiosity thrives and ambitious thinking is rewarded. Here, you’re given the chance to reach millions, create work that matters and deliver impartial journalism in a polarised world. In our warm, collaborative culture, you’ll connect with a diverse community of experts who support your growth, career aspirations and wellbeing. Your future at the FT will be filled with opportunities that challenge and inspire you. With no fixed path, you’ll discover new skills and forge a career that can take you anywhere. Build a newsworthy career at the FT.

We are looking for a Consumer Industries Correspondent to cover one of the most interesting and eclectic corporate beats at the FT. This role covers makers of food and drinks, household and personal care products, as well as the UK’s farming industry, offering opportunities to write for every part of the FT.

The correspondent will have a core corporate beat, breaking stories on FTSE bluechips such as Unilever, Diageo and Haleon, as well as helping to cover European giants such as Nestle, Danone, ABInbev and others. This sector is constantly restructuring and seeking growth, providing ample scope for scoops on dealmaking and strategic rethinks. Many companies are undergoing complicated turnarounds under pressure from impatient investors.

The role also involves charting the rise of entrepreneurial challenger companies and scrutinising publicity-shy movers and shakers such as 3G Capital, while monitoring emerging global consumer brands from China, Brazil and elsewhere. The beat includes covering secretive private groups like Mars and Ferrero, known for some of the biggest deals in the sector. M&A activity is common, requiring close collaboration with the deals team.

This role offers scope to write across the FT about offbeat stories that reveal consumer behaviour or economic developments. It has a global reach, working closely with correspondents worldwide to capture trends such as inflation impact, tariff wars, the protein boom, or falling alcohol consumption.

Key responsibilities include generating ideas and breaking news, building a wide network of industry contacts, writing original longer-form pieces for the Companies section and other FT areas, liaising with news desks and overseas bureaux, and collaborating with data, visuals and video teams to produce ambitious projects. Weekend shifts and providing cover for leisure and retail reporters are also part of the role.

The FT newsroom values original reporting, great writing and intelligent commentary. Editorial staff do not by default use AI tools to write articles or create reader-facing content. AI may only be used in specific, pre-approved cases such as assisting data research. Applicants are expected to refrain from using AI in test submissions, ensuring all written materials reflect their own knowledge and skills. AI use is monitored to maintain a fair and transparent hiring process.

Experience
Proven experience in journalism, ideally with a focus on corporate reporting or consumer industries. Ability to generate scoops and break news on complex corporate stories is essential.

About you
Curious, ambitious and motivated with a passion for quality journalism. Able to work collaboratively in a fast-paced newsroom environment. Comfortable working weekends as part of a rota. Strong networking skills and the ability to build and maintain a wide range of industry contacts. Adaptable to cover a diverse and evolving beat with global reach.

Qualifications
Relevant journalism qualifications or equivalent professional experience. Commitment to producing original, accurate and insightful reporting without reliance on AI-generated content.