Bid for lunch with a top FT journalist in our charity auction
TITLE: Financial Times Opens Bidding for Annual Charity Journalist Lunch Auction
The Financial Times is currently in the final stretch of its annual charity auction, an event that allows members of the public to bid for the opportunity to share a private lunch with their preferred journalists. There is now less than a week remaining for interested parties to submit their bids before the auction window concludes. This yearly tradition serves as a major fundraising effort for FLIC, the financial education charity operated by the Financial Times, which works to promote better financial literacy across various communities.
Ten Leading Journalists Participate in Auction
A total of ten prominent editorial figures are participating in the current auction cycle. The group is led by Roula Khalaf, the editor of the Financial Times, who is offering her time to support the charitable cause. She is joined by a selection of the paper's most senior commentators and analysts, including Martin Wolf, the chief economics commentator, and Gideon Rachman, who holds the position of chief foreign affairs commentator.
The auction roster also includes several of the publication's most read columnists. Among those available for a private lunch are Gillian Tett, Ed Luce, and Rana Foroohar. The list is rounded out by John Burn-Murdoch and Stephen Bush, as well as Dan McCrum, the investigative reporter who has gained recognition for his high-stakes reporting. Each of these journalists is contributing to the effort to raise money for FLIC's various educational programs.
Special Lot Featuring Henry Mance
This year’s event includes a distinctive addition to the standard auction format. A special lot has been created featuring Henry Mance, who is perhaps the most famous writer associated with the publication's long-running Lunch with the FT series. This specific offering provides a more comprehensive experience than the other lots. The person who submits the winning bid for the session with Mance will be featured in a personalized Lunch with the FT style write-up and will also receive a professional portrait as part of the package.
For supporters who wish to avoid the uncertainty of the bidding process, the organizers have provided an alternative path. The auction platform includes a buy it now option for those who want to secure a meeting immediately. By paying the designated buy it now price, a bidder can take their preferred journalist off the market and finalize the arrangement without waiting for the auction to end. This ensures that the funds go directly to the FT’s financial education charity while guaranteeing the donor's chosen experience.
Source: ft.com · 2026-10-26