Gillian Tett (born 30 September 1967) is a British journalist, author, and anthropologist who serves as the editor of the "FT Alphaville" blog and the chief executive editor of the Financial Times' International Economy. She is noted for her coverage of financial markets, economic policy, and the social dimensions of finance.
Early life and education
Tett was born in London, England. She studied at King's College London, where she earned a degree in social anthropology, and subsequently completed a Master of Arts in social anthropology at the University of Cambridge. Her academic background in anthropology has informed her analytical approach to reporting on financial institutions and markets.
Career
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Financial Times: Tett joined the Financial Times (FT) in 1999 as a senior writer for the "Lex" column, focusing on corporate finance. In 2005, she became the editor of "Lex," and later launched the FT's "Alphaville" blog, a platform for real-time financial commentary and analysis. In 2015, she was appointed chief executive editor of the FT's International Economy section.
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Reporting on the financial crisis: Tett gained prominence for her reporting on the 2007–2008 global financial crisis, particularly for her early warnings about the risks associated with complex financial instruments such as collateralised debt obligations (CDOs). Her work highlighted the cultural and organizational factors within banks that contributed to the crisis.
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Authorship: She has authored several non‑fiction books, including The Silo Effect: The Peril of Expertise and the Promise of Breakthrough Innovation (2015), Fool's Gold: The Inside Story of J.P. Morgan and How Wall Street Got Ripped Off (2019), and Anthro-Vision: A New Way to See in Business and Life (2022). Her writings often blend anthropological insight with financial analysis.
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Public speaking and media: Tett is a frequent commentator on television and at conferences, discussing topics such as financial regulation, market behavior, and risk management. She has appeared on programs such as BBC Radio 4's Today and Bloomberg Television.
Recognition
Tett has received several journalism awards, including the Wincott Prize for Business Journalism and the Financial Times' own award for excellence in financial commentary. She has been listed among the most influential women in finance by various industry publications.
Personal life
Tett is married and resides in London. She maintains an active presence on social media platforms, particularly Twitter, where she engages with audiences on current economic and financial issues.