June 28, 2017: Financial Times editor Lionel Barber hosted the annual FT Summer Party at Berner’s Tavern in London on Wednesday evening. The event brought together more than 400 guests from business, finance, politics and media.
Guests included HE Sylvie Bermann, Ambassador of France to the UK; Mike Coupe, Chief Executive, J Sainsbury Plc; Sir Michael Fallon MP, Secretary of State for Defence; James Harding, Director, BBC News; Tom Hooper, Oscar-winning director; Lord Peter Mandelson, Chairman, Global Counsel; Tom Mockridge, CEO, Virgin Media; Amber Rudd, Secretary of State for the Home Office; Sarah Sands, Editor, BBC Radio 4 Today; HE Ambassador Torbjorn Sohlstrom, Swedish Ambassador to the UK; Shriti Vadera, Chairwoman, Santander UK; Mr Marcus Wareing, Michelin-starred chef; and HE Alexander Yakovenko, Ambassador of Russia to the UK.
In his remarks, Lionel Barber said: “Today we’re living through a period of pervasive uncertainty. [...] After Brexit and the election of Mr. Trump we learned this: uncertain times increase the value of and need for trusted sources of information and insight. That’s what our global readership demands, every day, around the clock.”
In the room filled with flowers from Wild at Heart, the crowd enjoyed Laurent-Perrier champagne and canapés surrounded by the restaurant’s signature feature of 218 contemporary paintings and custom FT branding. Guests left with with goody bags that included a FT branded Aspinal journal, Hotel Chocolat treats, FT ‘A World Transformed’ Rubik's Cubes, Molton Brown toiletries, Laurent-Perrier FT Weekend Summer Menus and a Best of FT Weekend supplement.
For pictures of the event, visit the FT’s flickr page.
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. In 2016 the FT passed a significant milestone in its digital transformation as digital and services revenues overtook print revenues for the first time. The FT has a combined paid print and digital circulation of almost 860,000 and makes 60% of revenues from its journalism.