FINANCIAL TIMES LIMITED(THE)
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Next accounts due
2026-09-30 (in 4mo)
Last filed for 2024-12-31
Confirmation statement due
2026-06-22 (in 1mo)
Last made up 2025-06-08
Watchouts
None on the register
Cash
£21M
+16% vs 2023
Net assets
£82M
+11% vs 2023
Employees
1,616
+1.9% vs 2023
Profit before tax
£4M
-0.6% vs 2023
Net assets
2-year trend · vs Consumer Discretionary median
Accounts
2-year trend · latest reflected 2024-12-31
| Metric | Trend | 2023-12-31 | 2024-12-31 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Turnover | £443,904,000 | £454,648,000 | |
| Operating profit | £8,954,000 | £7,272,000 | |
| Profit before tax | £3,914,000 | £3,890,000 | |
| Net profit | £3,323,000 | £8,056,000 | |
| Cash | £18,292,000 | £21,211,000 | |
| Total assets less current liabilities | £279,922,000 | £269,827,000 | |
| Net assets | £73,513,000 | £81,569,000 | |
| Equity | £73,513,000 | £81,569,000 | |
| Average employees | 1,586 | 1,616 | |
| Wages | £135,436,000 | £141,163,000 |
Values shown as filed in the company's annual accounts. — indicates the figure wasn't present under that line item in that period. About these numbers
Ratios
Computed from the line items above — sparklines read oldest → newest
| Ratio | Trend | 2023-12-31 | 2024-12-31 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Operating margin | 2.0% | 1.6% | |
| Net margin | 0.7% | 1.8% | |
| Return on capital employed | 3.2% | 2.7% | |
| Gearing (liabilities / total assets) | 85.3% | 84.7% | |
| Current ratio | 0.51x | 0.55x | |
| Interest cover | 1.22x | 0.90x |
Margins divide P&L lines by turnover. Gearing is liabilities over total assets. Current ratio is current assets over creditors falling due within one year. Interest cover is operating profit over absolute finance costs. Sector-distribution context coming next.
Audit & accounting basis
- Accounting basis
- FRS 101
- Reporting scope
- Standalone (parent only)
- Auditor
- Deloitte LLP
- Audit opinion
- Unqualified (clean)
- Going concern
- Affirmed
“As detailed below and within Note 1 to the accounts, the directors have made a thorough assessment of the Company's ability to continue operating as a going concern. During 2024 the Company recorded a profit, and at the balance sheet date was in a net assets position. The performance in 2024 and management's review of future forecasts show that the Company is well placed to navigate the challenging economic conditions that are materialising. Paid-for-subscriber levels continue to ensure the FT.com platform has a robust business model, while advertising revenues remain strong and our events business has successfully navigated the move towards a more hybrid model that combines both digital and in-person events. Management has a clear expectation that we will have adequate resources to meet our commitments as they fall due for a period of at least 12 months from the date of approval of the financial statements. In addition, a letter of support has been received from a parent company, which commits to support the Company for at least one year beyond the date these financial statements are signed. As such, we continue to adopt the going concern basis of preparation.”
Group structure
- FINANCIAL TIMES LIMITED(THE) · parent
- The Financial Times (Overseas) Limited 100%
- The Financial Times (France) Limited 100%
- The Financial Times (Japan) Limited 100%
- The Financial Times (Spain) Limited 100%
- Financial Times (ASC) Limited 100%
- St. Clements Press (1988) Limited 100%
- The Financial Times (Bulgaria) Limited 100%
- The Financial Times (M-M UK) Limited 100%
- Mandatewire Limited 100%
- FT Labs Limited 100%
- FDI Intelligence Limited 100%
- Exec-Appointments Limited 100%
- The Financial News Limited 100%
- The Financial Times (Switzerland) Limited 100%
- Financial Times do Brasil Consultoria Ltda 90%
Significant events
- “2024 saw the business continue to perform well, with continued growth across the key revenue streams including subscriptions, advertising and events. Revenue increased by £10,744,000 to £454,648,000, while the business saw decreased profitability at an operating level, generating an operating profit of £7,272,000. The net assets of the Company have increased by £8,056,000 as a result of the profit for the financial year.”
- “In 2024, the Company advanced its long-standing commitment to digital transformation by investing significantly in AI capabilities across the organisation. This included launching the AI Transformation Programme to enhance workforce AI fluency through training, tools, and practical experience. More than 2,000 employees now use ChatGPT, with 1,400 engaging weekly, reflecting widespread adoption. Innovation was evident in the launch of new AI-powered services such as Ask F.T, a generative AI tool for professional subscribers, alongside a personalised paywall, enhanced search, and improved customer service features.”
- “The FT also reinforced its leadership in the digital media sector by becoming one of the first media organisations to form a strategic partnership and licensing agreement with OpenAI.”
- “A special bonus payment of £1,000, or local currency equivalent, was made to all eligible FT group employees in recognition of their hard work during the year and was paid via payroll in January 2025.”
Auditor, going-concern and subsidiary information is drawn from the narrative of the latest annual accounts. About these numbers
People
6 active · 42 resigned
| Name | Role | Appointed | Born | Nationality |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| FORTESCUE, Alison Mary | Secretary | 2003-10-31 | — | British |
| ARAKAWA, Daisuke | Director | 2022-03-29 | Aug 1962 | Japanese |
| KHALAF RAZZOUK, Roula | Director | 2020-01-17 | May 1965 | British |
| LUND, James Douglas | Director | 2014-01-01 | Oct 1972 | British |
| MCDONNELL, Finola Mary | Director | 2025-06-30 | Dec 1975 | Irish |
| SLADE, Jonathan David Chalmers | Director | 2021-11-10 | Aug 1973 | British |
Show 42 resigned officers
| Name | Role | Appointed | Resigned |
|---|---|---|---|
| BOSSEY, Kelvin Charles | Secretary | 1995-08-18 | 1996-03-11 |
| CREASEY, Martin Wright | Secretary | 1997-07-01 | 1997-11-07 |
| DAW, Andrew Mark | Secretary | 1996-03-11 | 1997-07-01 |
| HALL, David James | Secretary | — | 1996-03-11 |
| LEACH, Graham | Secretary | 1997-11-10 | 2002-06-01 |
| LISTER, Anne | Secretary | 2008-07-11 | 2009-02-02 |
| RICHARDSON, Elaine | Secretary | 2010-03-31 | 2011-03-17 |
| ROBINSON, Sarah Nicole | Secretary | 2002-06-01 | 2003-10-31 |
| BARBER, Franklin Lionel | Director | 2006-02-01 | 2020-01-16 |
| BARLOW, Frank | Director | 1996-03-16 | 1997-05-02 |
| BARLOW, Frank | Director | — | 1996-03-16 |
| BELL, David Charles Maurice, Sir | Director | — | 2009-12-30 |
| BLAKENHAM, Michael John, Viscount | Director | — | 1993-04-02 |
| BURDETT, Louisa Sachiko | Director | 2008-06-20 | 2012-06-01 |
| CRAWSHAW, Nicholas Charles | Director | 2004-03-22 | 2005-04-13 |
| DE BONO, Caspar | Director | 2016-07-21 | 2019-01-01 |
| FAIRHEAD, Rona Alison | Director | 2006-09-01 | 2013-04-26 |
| FLEUROT, Olivier Henri | Director | 1999-01-01 | 2006-06-12 |
| GIBSON, William Knatchbull, The Honourable | Director | — | 1994-12-31 |
| GILCHRIST, Andrew Thomas | Director | 1997-05-06 | 1997-09-02 |
| GORDON, David Sorrell | Director | — | 1993-04-16 |
| GOWERS, Andrew Richard David | Director | 2001-10-15 | 2005-11-02 |
| HARDISTY, Dominic Jonathan | Director | 1997-05-06 | 2000-04-12 |
| HENDERSON, Timothy Scott | Director | 2007-01-01 | 2013-02-06 |
| HILL, Stephen Guy | Director | 1996-03-01 | 2002-09-30 |
| HUGHES, Benjamin Mark | Director | 2013-02-06 | 2016-07-29 |
| KOCH, Katherine Therese | Director | 2005-07-01 | 2008-06-20 |
| LAMBERT, Richard Peter, Sir | Director | — | 2001-12-28 |
| LEISHMAN, Richard Stuart | Director | 1997-05-06 | 1999-12-31 |
| MATSUMOTO, Motohiro | Director | 2020-03-26 | 2022-03-29 |
| MCCLEAN, Richard Arthur Francis | Director | — | 1993-07-02 |
| MILLER, Alan Charles | Director | 1997-10-01 | 2011-05-03 |
| MILLER, Alan Charles | Director | — | 1997-10-01 |
| MUNNS, David Howard | Director | 2000-03-10 | 2004-03-31 |
| MURPHY, Michael | Director | 2001-10-24 | 2002-03-15 |
| MURPHY, Michael | Director | 1997-05-19 | 1999-03-15 |
| NOMURA, Hirotomo | Director | 2016-07-04 | 2020-03-26 |
| O'BRIEN, Cathy Coggins | Director | 2012-06-12 | 2013-02-06 |
| O'RIORDAN, Kathleen Mary | Director | 2019-01-01 | 2021-10-29 |
| PALMER, David Erroll Prior | Director | — | 1993-04-02 |
| RIDDING, John Joseph | Director | 2006-06-12 | 2025-06-30 |
| VIGLATZIS, Anastasios | Director | 2013-02-06 | 2015-11-30 |
Ownership
Persons with significant control
| Name | Kind | Nature of control | Notified | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Financial Times Group Limited | Corporate entity | Shares 75–100%, Voting 75–100% | 2016-04-06 | Active |
Filing timeline
Last 20 of 251 total filings
| Date | Type | Category | Description | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025-09-19 | AA | accounts | Accounts with accounts type full | |
| 2025-07-01 | AP01 | officers | Appoint person director company with name date | |
| 2025-07-01 | TM01 | officers | Termination director company with name termination date | |
| 2025-06-16 | CS01 | confirmation-statement | Confirmation statement with no updates | |
| 2024-10-09 | AA | accounts | Accounts with accounts type full | |
| 2024-06-13 | CS01 | confirmation-statement | Confirmation statement with no updates | |
| 2024-02-02 | PSC05 | persons-with-significant-control | Change to a person with significant control | |
| 2024-02-01 | CH01 | officers | Change person director company with change date | |
| 2023-09-21 | AA | accounts | Accounts with accounts type full | |
| 2023-06-09 | CS01 | confirmation-statement | Confirmation statement with no updates | |
| 2022-10-10 | AA | accounts | Accounts with accounts type full | |
| 2022-06-13 | CS01 | confirmation-statement | Confirmation statement with no updates | |
| 2022-04-01 | AP01 | officers | Appoint person director company with name date | |
| 2022-04-01 | TM01 | officers | Termination director company with name termination date | |
| 2021-11-11 | AP01 | officers | Appoint person director company with name date | |
| 2021-11-10 | TM01 | officers | Termination director company with name termination date | |
| 2021-10-15 | AA | accounts | Accounts with accounts type full | |
| 2021-10-12 | CH01 | officers | Change person director company with change date | |
| 2021-07-06 | CH01 | officers | Change person director company with change date | |
| 2021-06-15 | CS01 | confirmation-statement | Confirmation statement with no updates |
Public-record activity
Raw counts from Companies House — last 12–24 months
- Filings
- 4
- Capital events
- 0
- Officers appointed
- 1
- Officers resigned
- 1
last 12 months
last 24 months
last 12 months
last 12 months
Direct counts from the register. No score, no rating — see the Filing timeline for the underlying events.
Year-on-year
FY2023 → FY2024 · period ending 2024-12-31 vs 2023-12-31
-
Turnover
+2.4%
£443,904,000 £454,648,000
-
Cash
+16%
£18,292,000 £21,211,000
-
Net assets
+11%
£73,513,000 £81,569,000
-
Employees
+1.9%
1,586 1,616
-
Operating profit
-18.8%
£8,954,000 £7,272,000
-
Profit before tax
-0.6%
£3,914,000 £3,890,000
-
Wages
+4.2%
£135,436,000 £141,163,000
Each % is (latest − prior) ÷ |prior| for the line item as filed. The comparison is only shown when the latest and prior accounts cover broadly equal-length periods — short or long stubs (typical around incorporation or a year-end change) are suppressed rather than misrepresented. Lines a company doesn't report are omitted. About these numbers