Robert Shrimsley Keynote Speaker

Editorial Director of the Financial Times
Chief UK Political Commentator of the Financial Times
Awarded the 2017 Swift Prize for Economic Satire

Robert Shrimsley's Biography

Robert Shrimsley is the UK chief political commentator and UK editor at large of the Financial Times.

Over a 30+ year career working for the Daily Telegraph and the FT, Robert has been a close observer of Westminster and Whitehall, reporting on the Major and Blair governments before becoming the FT’s news editor. In that role he led the paper’s coverage of the financial crisis before moving to become managing editor of FT.com, overseeing the FT’s switch to becoming a web-first news organisation.

His time in charge of the website has also given him a front-row seat on the development of new media and the technological, regulatory and political challenges it poses.

For the last 17 years he has also written a weekly satirical column focused primarily on British politics and global affairs as well as a more personal column in the FT Magazine.

In 2017, he won the Swift Prize for Economic Satire – a field which his wife notes, may not be overcrowded.

After the Brexit referendum he returned to Westminster to become the FT’s main UK political writer where his acerbic commentary takes aim at the ascendancy of ideological rather than pragmatic politics. He has written extensively on Brexit, the Conservative party and Jeremy Corbyn’s Labour revolution. His work manages to combine humour and anecdotes with serious political analysis.

A graduate of the London School of Economics and an accomplished public speaker, Robert has spoken at Kilkenomics and the Dalkey Book Festival as well as at the FT Weekend Festival where he led the panel on “Britain’s Nervous Breakdown”. Robert has done numerous breakfast briefings on the political climate and has appeared on stage at the Barbican speaking about the connections between His Fridge and Theresa May.

Robert undertakes keynote addresses, moderation and appearing on panels.

Political trends to watch for the year ahead

When the cult of strong leadership is over-rated in politics.

Geo-politics: Britain is a case study in the defeat of globalisation

Can Labour Succeed ? Can the Conservatives Turn it Around ?

Is Britain's two party system finally broken?

He is one of the UK’s most respected political commentators, with more than three decades analysing Westminster, Whitehall and global affairs.
He translates complex political and economic developments into sharp, accessible insight that helps audiences understand the forces shaping Britain and beyond.
He brings exceptional journalistic authority from senior leadership roles at the Financial Times, including overseeing coverage of the global financial crisis and the shift to digital media.
He is an engaging speaker who combines incisive political analysis with wit, satire and compelling storytelling.
His insights equip organisations to navigate political uncertainty, understand policy shifts and anticipate the wider implications for business and society.