May 11th, 2012

HONG KONG: 11 May 2012: FTChinese.com today announced the official launch of a new channel called “乐尚街” or Lux Avenue which offers readers profiles and stories about the luxury industry, highlights new trends in luxury products and provides a window into an international designer lifestyle.

“China’s rapid economic growth and rising interest in and consumption of luxury goods, particularly among the business elite and aspiring middle class, means that it’s an ideal time to launch this new section on FTChinese.com. Through Lux Avenue, we will leverage the Financial Times’ global resources and award-winning glossy ‘How To Spend It’ magazine to bring our readers and clients insightful, high quality content and access to rising trends and leading personalities in the luxury lifestyle sector,” said Angela Mackay, managing director, Asia Pacific, Financial Times.

May 3rd, 2012

The first cohort pursuing the Financial Times Non-Executive Director Certificate is set to graduate on May 23^rd.  The ceremony will be held at the Grosvenor Hotel, London, and the keynote speaker will be Vince Cable MP and Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills.

The FT launched the FT Non-Executive Director Certificate in September 2011 – a formally accredited, post-graduate level qualification and the first of its kind to address the needs of aspiring and existing non executive directors. The six month course has already been well-received with the first three intakes fully-booked.

May 2nd, 2012

NEW YORK: 2 MAY 2012: The Financial Times today announces the appointment of Emily Steel as US media and marketing correspondent, covering content and distribution companies, digital media innovators and the wider marketing industry. Steel joins the FT from the Wall Street Journal, where she most recently served as a social media editor.

Andrew Edgecliffe-Johnson, media editor of the Financial Times, commented: “Emily’s obvious skills, in 140 characters or the best of long-form investigative journalism, will be a powerful addition to the FT’s global media coverage. She brings deep knowledge of the forces in digital media and online advertising that are transforming content and distribution companies old and new. Her appointment underscores the FT’s commitment to producing the most competitive, prescient and valuable coverage, in print and online.”

May 2nd, 2012

LONDON: 3 May 2012: The Financial Times and IFC, a member of the World Bank Group, have announced the shortlist for the 2012 FT/IFC Sustainable Finance Awards, which recognise environmentally and socially responsible banking and investment globally.

Now in its seventh year, the 2012 awards attracted 161 entries from 145 financial institutions and 36 non-financial groups from 67 different countries. The entries were received in four categories: Sustainable Bank of the Year, Sustainable Investor of the Year, Sustainable Investment of the Year and Technology in Sustainable Finance. Under Sustainable Bank of the Year, the awards are regionally subdivided for leadership and innovation in Africa/Middle East, Americas, Asia-Pacific and Europe.  A separate Sustainable Global Bank of the Year prize is open to institutions with assets of more than $500 billion, substantial operations on at least two continents and more than 20 percent of revenues earned outside the country of incorporation.

Apr 23rd, 2012

The Financial Times will host its eighth annual Business of Luxury Summit on 30 May – 1 June 2012, at the Four Seasons, Marrakech, Morocco. Lionel Barber, editor of the Financial Times, will chair what has become the must-attend annual global gathering for luxury executives, corporate decision-makers and financiers.

This year’s Summit is themed ‘The Lifestyle Revolution’ and will explore the increased intermingling of luxury and lifestyle. Speakers include chairmen, founders and chief executives from some of the world’s most successful luxury businesses, who will discuss the macro-economic factors influencing consumer decisions; what it means when a luxury brand calls itself a lifestyle brand; and how to manage risks associated with brand extension and diversifying from core expertise.