Che, Head of Marketing at FT Live, reflects on her career growth, advocacy for diversity at the Financial Times, and involvement in Black History Month. She shares insights on navigating challenges, mentorship, and driving innovation within her team.
Tell us a little about you and your role at the FT?
My name is Che, and I am the Head of Marketing at FT Live within the Partner Events team. We work closely with a single client to produce events tailored specifically for them. This could range from webinars and in-person briefings to conferences. We collaborate not only with the client but also with our internal project team to ensure the event is successfully executed.
Partner Events was established in 2018, which is also when I joined the FT. I started as a Senior Marketing Executive, and at that time, there were only three of us on the team. Since then, we've grown to 27 people. Coming from a B2C environment, I previously worked at Tottenham Hotspur for 6.5 years, so transitioning to FT was a big shift to B2B. The work culture was vastly different when moving from a football brand to a premium media company. I remember on my first day, everyone was out volunteering, and I thought it was amazing that FT encourages that kind of community involvement. Everyone was so welcoming, and I quickly found myself building a portfolio to support the commercial team.
Two years ago, I was made Head of Marketing, and since then, I’ve had the privilege of promoting some incredible people on my team, helping to establish a strong, dynamic group.
What excites you most about working in your team or business area?
What excites me most about working in my team and business area is how dynamic and ever-evolving it is, especially within the events space. Before the pandemic, we were organising an event every couple of months, but once we invested in digital, things changed dramatically - we now do over 160 events a year within Partner Events and I absolutely love everything about event technology.
Since we started hosting webinars and digital conferences, it’s been both a challenge and an exciting opportunity for me. It pushed me to grow, and as a result, we’ve expanded our database, reaching a global audience who can now engage with our content from the comfort of their homes. The technological advancements have been so exciting, and being part of the event technology team has allowed me to explore new software and tools.
You celebrated your 6 year work anniversary last month! What has kept you at the FT?
I originally started on a six-month contract, and what’s kept me at the FT for six years has really been my bosses. Orson and Cat have both played a huge role in allowing me to be myself. I’m incredibly fortunate to have two amazing leaders who support me not only as a professional but also as a mother. The flexibility that comes with working here has been a game-changer for me, and I truly appreciate it.
My team is also a big part of why I’ve stayed. They’re magnificent, and I absolutely love mentoring them and watching them grow. That’s everything to me. Being able to meet and connect with people within my Black community at the FT has been incredibly empowering as well.
After all this time, I’m still so excited about the events, the people, and the technology we work with. There’s always something new on the horizon, and that’s what keeps me energised.
Can you tell me more about the Employee Resource Group (ERG) you’re part of?
FT Embrace is our Employee Resource Group (ERG) for the Black, Asian, and minority ethnic community at the FT. The group focuses on celebrating, educating, and amplifying the voices of our ethnic communities. Our mission is to create a supportive environment where everyone feels valued, empowered to share their stories, celebrate their heritage, and grow both personally and professionally within the FT.
I joined FT Embrace in 2022 because I wanted to be part of the steering committee after attending a cultural diversity day. I was really inspired and wanted to get involved, so I joined to learn more about what they do and how I could contribute through event lead activities.
I’ve also wanted to do even more, especially in terms of understanding the representation of Black employees at the FT and how we can better support them. I’ve been exploring ways to empower our Black community, particularly through partnerships and contra deals. I hope to use my learnings this year to focus on other cultures and communities
What project or initiative from FT Embrace are you most proud of?
The project I’m most proud of from FT Embrace is the work we've done with partnerships with external companies, which have been unlike any other initiatives we've done before. The first was our partnership with the Black British Business Awards. We combined events with advertising, giving us access to the awards and their network, and this allowed us to give something valuable back to our staff. Four employees were able to participate in The Network of Networks (TNON) program, which focuses on personal and professional growth within the ethnic community. It’s an empowering educational initiative that helps people develop and advance. We even hosted the launch event at our office, with over 100 guests, and I was able to use my events expertise to make it a great success.
How have you used your role at the FT to advocate for diversity, equity, and inclusion?
In my role at the FT, I’ve actively worked to advocate for diversity, equity, and inclusion, especially through my work at FT Live. One of the key things we ensure is that our panels and events feature an inclusive group of speakers and delegates. For every event, we make it a requirement to have at least one female speaker on each panel, and we prioritise diversity across all our speakers and participants.
I’ve also made connections between people and the awards or events we’ve organised, helping them gain future speaking opportunities, build networks, and participate in other events. By leveraging partnerships and technology, we’ve been able to create a more diverse and inclusive speaker and delegate pool.
As a Black woman in a senior position, alongside five other women in leadership roles within Partner Events, I’m in a unique position to advocate for others. It’s not something you see very often, and I’m committed to empowering more people from underrepresented groups to rise into leadership positions, both within the FT and beyond.
How has the FT supported diversity and inclusion efforts in the workplace?
The FT has always been committed to supporting diversity and inclusion in the workplace, right from the start. There are various Employee Resource Groups (ERGs), like FT Women, FT Proud and FT Embrace, there is a community and it provides spaces for underrepresented groups to share their stories. If I ever reach out to Learning and Development or go on Slack, I see so many initiatives focused on diversity and inclusion, and it's amazing to witness how much effort everyone is putting into these areas. People are constantly sharing personal experiences, which creates a real sense of connection and support.
From the moment I joined, and especially after returning from maternity leave, I’ve felt genuinely supported. One moment that stands out was after the George Floyd incident. I was on maternity leave at the time, and my boss reached out to ask how I was doing and how I felt about it. That was something I never expected, and it showed me just how much the FT cares. Feeling supported and safe in the workplace, especially as a Black woman, is a huge deal for me. I’m incredibly fortunate to have great bosses who understand the challenges I face, particularly as a mother.
The FT has been flexible in allowing me to balance my role as a parent. My son is autistic, and my immediate boss, Cat, has been incredibly supportive. That support made a big difference, and I’ve continued to feel valued in that way. The FT really gives you the space to talk about your feelings, whether it’s through FT Embrace talks or other forums, providing a safe place for open conversations. Especially with recent events like the riots, the opportunity to connect with others through FT Embrace has been so important and meaningful.
As it’s Black History Month, what does this month mean to you personally?
This year's Black History Month theme, "Reclaiming Narratives," deeply resonates with me. It inspires me to showcase incredible people and their success stories, highlighting journeys that deserve to be heard and celebrated.
For me, Black History Month is about empowerment, celebrating who you are, and embracing your story. This year, I'm playing a bigger role in organising events at FT, using my expertise to empower Black employees and create models that support other cultures as well.
This year, we have the biggest program yet at the FT, with activities planned every day until October 31st. It’s truly amazing to see multiple divisions within the FT coming together to recognise and celebrate Black History Month. Working closely with the brand design team, we’re ensuring that Black History Month is visible and celebrated throughout the FT, creating a space that reflects its significance and honours the richness of Black history and achievements
What advice would you give to someone considering joining the FT?
My advice to anyone considering joining the FT is that it’s not what you might think. People often have a perception of us, but the reality is far different. There is so much diversity here, with people from various backgrounds in amazing roles throughout the FT.
One of the most incredible aspects of working at the FT is the opportunity to make your role your own. Personally, I've been able to challenge myself and feel that my voice and opinions are valued. The reason I’ve succeeded and grown is that I’ve remained true to myself and continuously pushed for new ways to improve both myself and my department.
I encourage newcomers to come in with an open mind. It’s truly an exciting environment, and I can honestly say I’m having the time of my life here!
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