How to get quoted in FT: updated for 2026 (UK). To get quoted in the Financial Times as an expert source: register on relevant source lists, build direct relationships with 5-10 FT correspondents covering your sector, pitch timely data-led commentary within 2 hours of relevant stories breaking, and provide consistent high-quality insight that makes you the reliable first-call source.
FT desks to target in 2026
- Companies.
- Lex.
- Markets.
- Tech.
- Moral Money (ESG).
- Alphaville.
How to become a reliable FT source
- Proactive: offer commentary on breaking stories within 2 hours.
- Data-led: come to the table with hard numbers and sources.
- Named: prepared to be quoted on-record.
- Responsive: acknowledge FT requests within 30 minutes even to say you need more time.
How to get quoted in FT: step by step
- Define your expertise narrowly. “Fintech regulation for payment firms” is far more useful to a correspondent than “financial services expert”. Write a one-paragraph summary of what you can comment on and why you are qualified.
- Identify the right correspondents. Note who covers your area across the Companies, Markets, Tech and Lex teams, and which topics they return to.
- Prepare your commentary before the news breaks. Keep short, quotable views ready on the issues your sector will face this year, such as rate decisions, new regulation or major market events.
- React quickly and briefly. When a relevant story breaks, send two or three sentences of genuine insight, your name, title and a phone number. Speed and clarity matter more than length.
- Be on the record. Journalists value sources who can be named. Agree internally in advance what your spokesperson is cleared to say.
- Be reliable. Accurate information, honest answers and respect for deadlines are what turn a one-off quote into regular contact.
What makes a good FT quote
- A clear opinion rather than a neutral summary.
- Specific numbers or examples from your own experience.
- Plain English, with no marketing language.
- Relevance to the wider business story, not just your company.
Mistakes that stop experts being quoted
- Sending long statements that need heavy editing.
- Using every comment to promote a product.
- Being unavailable when the journalist calls back.
- Asking to approve the article before publication, which journalists will not do.
FAQs
Do I need a PR agency to learn how to get quoted in FT?
Not necessarily, but an agency with experience of business media can help you sharpen your expertise, prepare commentary and reach the right correspondents at the right moment. Read our guide on how to get featured in the FT for the wider picture.
Is it better to be quoted or featured?
Both help. Regular expert quotes build authority over time and often lead to longer features or interviews later.
Before pitching, read recent articles by your target correspondents on ft.com to see which experts they already quote.