The Financial Times has received two awards at The Society for Advancing Business Writing and Editing 2021 Best in Business Awards. 

The FT won in the Banking & Finance category for its three-part series on “Race and Finance” by Gary Silverman, Imani Moise, Taylor Nicole Rogers, Attracta Moody and Madison Darbyshire. The judges commented: “The FT did a fantastic job with its deep dive into why entrepreneurs from communities of colour have a tougher time getting credit and why it’s more expensive. Likewise with its look at the hurdles facing Black student borrowers. The FT showed why minority business loans are considered more risky and why Black student loan holders wind up paying down very little of their debt over 20 years.”

Peter Spiegel, US managing editor at the FT, said, “In 2020, the world belatedly turned its attention to issues of systemic racism after the murder of George Floyd. In 2021, the Financial Times stayed on the case and sought to ensure the financial services industry was keeping its commitments to equality. What the FT found was a system that was still failing African-Americans.”

The FT also won in the Newsletter category for Unhedged, led by Robert Armstong. The judges commented: “The Financial Times’ “Unhedged,” is a very unique newsletter specific to capital markets topics that is refreshingly contrarian. “Unhedged” is smart, succinct and heavy on voice. Veteran columnist Robert Armstrong dives into some of the biggest fallacies dished up by market participants in a witty engaging way. Armstrong hooks readers by tapping high-level sources and quoting them at length. This is what a well-done newsletter looks like.”

The FT was named runner-up in two other categories. David Crow, Hannah Kuchler, Donato Paolo Mancini and David Pilling were recognised in the Health & Science category for their coverage of the Covid-19 vaccine rollout. In the International category, Cynthia O’Murchu, Jim Pickard, Arash Massoudi and Rob Smith were named runner-up for their coverage of the Greensill scandal. 

ENDS

For more information, please contact Rhonda Taylor | rhonda.taylor@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.