Financial Times consumer editor Claer Barrett has been named Pensions Journalist of the Year at the 2022 Willis Towers Watson Media Awards, for her columns about defined contribution schemes.

The awards celebrate excellence in business journalism in the areas of pensions and investments, insurance, risk, human resources and employee benefits.

The judges described Barrett as an “experienced personal finance journalist who has an ability to bring it home to the reader that everyone of working age is involved in pensions.” 

They noted how she has “made it her mission to convert the reluctant, and equip readers with the information they need”, praising her “clear, engaging and informative articles” exploring the implications of delaying retirement, guidance on salary sacrifice and the complexity of the Lifetime Allowance.

Claer Barrett said: “When even financial professionals admit to not understanding pensions, you know we have a problem - but the pensions industry does not make it easy for us to find out the answers. Through my work at the FT, I try to break down the barriers and help people engage with retirement saving while they can still make a big difference, so it’s fantastic to be recognised by these awards.”

Barrett writes the weekly Serious Money column and presents the FT's Money Clinic podcast and Business Clinic video series. She regularly appears as a commentator on radio and TV, talking about personal finance, consumer and small business issues, and is a regular guest on ITV’s Lorraine, LBC Radio and the BBC Newscast podcast.

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For more information please contact:

Mark Staniland, Financial Times | mark.staniland@ft.com

About the Financial Times

The Financial Times is one of the world’s leading business news organisations, recognised internationally for its authority, integrity and accuracy. The FT has a record paying readership of 1.2 million, more than one million of which are digital subscriptions. It is part of Nikkei Inc., which provides a broad range of information, news and services for the global business community.