Gillian Tett: The Anthropologist Who Transformed Financial Journalism and Leadership at Cambridge
Gillian Tett is one of Britain’s most respected journalists, authors, and thought leaders in finance and culture. Known for bridging anthropology and economics, Dr Gillian Tett has carved out a distinctive voice that combines analytical precision with deep cultural insight. She currently serves as the Provost of King’s College, Cambridge, and is a Member of the Editorial Board and Columnist at the Financial Times (FT).
Over her career, she has redefined how we interpret markets, risk, and human behaviour—proving that financial systems are not merely mathematical, but deeply social constructs.
Early Life and Education
Born on 10 July 1967 in the United Kingdom, Gillian Romaine Tett OBE demonstrated intellectual curiosity from a young age. She attended the North London Collegiate School and the Lucie Clayton Charm Academy before entering Clare College, University of Cambridge, where she studied Archaeology and Anthropology.
Her academic pursuits culminated in a PhD in Social Anthropology from Cambridge, based on extensive fieldwork in Tajikistan, then part of the former Soviet Union. This anthropological lens became the cornerstone of her journalistic and analytical work—examining finance as a cultural ecosystem, not just an economic system.
Gillian Tett at the Financial Times
Rise to Prominence
Joining the Financial Times in 1993, Gillian Tett began her career covering Europe and the former Soviet Union. Her talent for connecting cultural insight with market analysis quickly set her apart. She later became Tokyo Bureau Chief, covering Japan’s economic transition during the late 1990s, before moving through several senior positions:
-
Assistant Editor for Markets Coverage
-
Capital Markets Editor
-
Deputy Editor of the Lex Column
-
US Managing Editor (2013–2019)
-
Chair of the US Editorial Board and Editor-at-Large
-
Member of the FT Editorial Board
Moral Money: Pioneering Sustainable Finance Journalism
In 2019, Gillian Tett co-founded Moral Money, the FT’s sustainability and ESG-focused newsletter. The twice-weekly publication tracks how environmental, social, and governance trends are reshaping business and finance. Under her leadership, Moral Money won the SABEW Best Newsletter Award (2020) and has become a staple for readers interested in the ethics of capitalism.
Gillian Tett’s Books and Thought Leadership
1. Fool’s Gold (2009)
Subtitled How Unrestrained Greed Corrupted a Dream, Shattered Global Markets and Unleashed a Catastrophe, this New York Times bestseller dissects the roots of the 2008 financial crisis. Drawing on insider interviews and cultural analysis, Tett reveals how financial innovation and complacency collided to cause economic collapse.
2. The Silo Effect (2015)
In The Silo Effect: The Peril of Expertise and the Promise of Breaking Down Barriers, Gillian Tett explores how organisational silos prevent communication and innovation. She shows how breaking barriers between departments and disciplines can lead to smarter, more agile institutions.
3. Anthro-Vision (2021)
Her most recent book, Anthro-Vision: A New Way to See in Business and Life, extends her anthropological framework to business, leadership, and public policy. She argues that understanding human culture is crucial for effective decision-making—a message that resonates across management, economics, and technology.
4. Saving the Sun (2003)
This earlier work, Saving the Sun: A Wall Street Gamble to Rescue Japan from its Trillion-Dollar Meltdown, documents Japan’s financial transformation and Western influence during its economic crisis.
Collectively, Gillian Tett’s books represent a rare combination of intellectual rigour and storytelling, establishing her as a global authority on finance, culture, and organisational behaviour.
Academic and Leadership Roles
In October 2023, Dr Gillian Tett became Provost of King’s College, Cambridge, one of the most prestigious leadership roles in British academia. As Provost, she oversees the college’s academic direction, research priorities, and international collaborations. Her appointment symbolises a blending of academic anthropology and practical economic insight.
Her alma mater, Clare College, University of Cambridge, also honoured her as a distinguished alumna for her contribution to journalism and global thought leadership.
Awards and Recognition
Major Honours and Awards
-
OBE – for services to financial journalism
-
Journalist of the Year (2009) – British Press Awards
-
Business Journalist of the Year (2008) – British Press Awards
-
Columnist of the Year (2014) – British Press Awards
-
President’s Medal (2011) – British Academy
-
Marsh Award (2014) – Royal Anthropological Institute
-
SABEW Best Feature (2012) – “Madoff Spins His Story”
-
Commentator of the Year (2017) – Editorial Intelligence
Honorary Degrees
She holds honorary doctorates from:
-
University of Exeter
-
University of Miami
-
University of St Andrews
-
London University (Goldsmiths)
-
Carnegie Mellon University
-
Baruch College
-
Lancaster University
Gillian Tett’s Personal Life
Dr Gillian Tett’s Husband and Partner
In July 2024, Dr Gillian Tett married Henrik Jones, a venture capitalist known for his work at Buckhill Capital and in financial education. The ceremony was held at King’s College Chapel, Cambridge, where Tett now serves as Provost.
The couple first met in November 2021 when a mutual friend introduced them to discuss social and environmental investing. Their story was beautifully captured in The New York Times feature “The Sunday Stroll That Changed Her Mind About Dating.”
Before marrying Jones, Tett was known to have been “resolutely single” and focused on her career. While some sources have suggested a prior marriage, no verified public record confirms an ex-husband.
Gillian Tett’s Children and Daughters
She has two daughters, both from a previous relationship, though their names and details remain private to protect their privacy.
Gillian Tett’s Age and Net Worth
As of 2025, Gillian Tett is 58 years old. Her decades-long career with the Financial Times, bestselling books, and academic appointments have contributed to an estimated net worth of approximately $5 million. While she rarely discusses finances, her wealth reflects her sustained influence in journalism, publishing, and global thought leadership.
Gillian Tett’s Legacy at Cambridge and Beyond
Championing Interdisciplinary Thinking
At King’s College, Cambridge, Gillian Tett is known for promoting cross-disciplinary dialogue between the humanities and sciences. She believes that understanding culture, emotion, and human connection is as vital as data and algorithms.
Impact on Financial Journalism
Her anthropological approach has transformed how global media cover financial systems. By focusing on human behaviour, she encouraged journalists to look beyond numbers to see the cultures driving markets.
Mentorship and Influence
Tett has mentored numerous journalists and researchers, emphasising curiosity, empathy, and analytical depth. Her influence extends across the BBC, FT, and academia.
Who Is Gillian Tett?
Gillian Tett is not just a journalist but a bridge-builder between academia and real-world economics. She combines fieldwork insights with corporate leadership, making her a model for interdisciplinary scholarship.
Her journey from anthropologist to FT columnist and Provost of King’s College, Cambridge, proves that curiosity and human understanding can reshape industries. Whether through Moral Money, her books, or her teaching, Tett continues to inspire critical thinking and ethical leadership across borders.
Conclusion
Dr Gillian Tett exemplifies how cultural understanding can transform both business and academia. From her investigative journalism that warned of the 2008 crisis to her pioneering work in sustainable finance, she embodies curiosity, compassion, and clarity.
Her tenure as Provost of King’s College, Cambridge cements her place among Britain’s leading intellectual figures. Her life’s work—spanning anthropology, economics, and education—reminds us that even in a data-driven world, it is human insight that matters most.
FAQs
1. Who is Gillian Tett?
Gillian Tett is a British journalist, author, and anthropologist. She is the Provost of King’s College, Cambridge and a Columnist and Editorial Board Member at the Financial Times. She co-founded FT Moral Money and is widely recognised for applying anthropology to economics and finance.
2. Who is Gillian Tett’s husband?
Gillian Tett is married to Henrik Jones, a venture capitalist and founder of Buckhill Capital. They tied the knot on 8 July 2024 at King’s College Chapel, Cambridge.
3. Does Gillian Tett have children?
Yes. Gillian Tett has two daughters from a previous relationship, though their names are not publicly disclosed to maintain family privacy.
4. What are Gillian Tett’s most famous books?
Her major works include Fool’s Gold (2009), The Silo Effect (2015), Saving the Sun (2003), and Anthro-Vision (2021). These books explore financial systems, organisational culture, and human behaviour through an anthropological lens.
5. What is Gillian Tett’s net worth and age?
As of 2025, Dr Gillian Tett is 58 years old, with an estimated net worth of around $5 million, accumulated through her journalism, book sales, and academic roles.
