The Financial Times has bolstered its opinion pages by appointing Patrick Foulis, the former foreign editor of The Economist, as a columnist, signaling a strategic push to deepen its coverage of global geopolitics and economics. Foulis, known for his incisive analysis of international flashpoints from Brexit to U.S.-China tensions, joins the FT at a time when interconnected world events demand sharper insights from business leaders and policymakers.
Foulis spent over two decades at The Economist, rising through the ranks to become foreign editor in 2018, where he oversaw reporting on everything from the war in Ukraine to the fallout of the COVID-19 pandemic on global supply chains. His tenure included penning influential leaders and dispatches that shaped elite discourse, earning him a reputation as a clear-eyed observer unafraid to challenge orthodoxies. Prior to The Economist, he worked at the BBC and other outlets, honing a style that blends rigorous data with narrative flair.
FT editor Roula Khalaf welcomed Foulis, stating in an internal memo that his addition will "bring fresh perspectives on how foreign policy disrupts markets and trade." This hire comes amid a wave of high-profile moves in the quality press, as outlets compete for talent amid shrinking ad revenues and the rise of digital subscriptions. The FT, which boasts over a million paying subscribers, has been aggressively expanding its commentary roster to retain its edge in the crowded financial media space.
The move underscores the intensifying talent wars in journalism, where experienced editors like Foulis command premium roles. Rivals such as the Wall Street Journal and Bloomberg have similarly raided top publications for columnists who can decode the nexus of politics and finance. For The Economist, losing Foulis represents a gap in its foreign desk leadership, though the weekly has promoted internal talent to fill the void.
Analysts see Foulis's arrival as part of the FT's broader pivot toward provocative, subscriber-retaining opinion writing. In an era of fragmented media consumption, his voice—rooted in liberal internationalism but skeptical of grand narratives—could help the paper navigate debates over globalization's future. As trade wars loom and elections reshape alliances, Foulis's columns promise to be must-reads for investors and diplomats alike.
