Lucy Kellaway, the columnist and associate editor of the Financial Times, is leaving the newspaper after 31 years.
From next summer, she will begin a new career as a maths teacher in a “challenging” London secondary school. In so doing, she will be acting as a pioneer for the charity Now Teach, which she co-founded earlier this year.
It was set up to encourage high-flying professionals in the business world to retrain as teachers and help to address the shortage of maths and science teachers.
Kellaway said: “I’ve had one of the nicest jobs in journalism by writing a column for 22 years. I love it, but I don’t want to spend my entire life doing it.
“I think teaching is hugely important and I’m in the luxurious position of being able to take on the task. My mother was a teacher. One of my daughters is a teacher. It’s in the family, and I’m very excited about making this move.”
Kellaway’s columns, poking fun at modern corporate culture, have long been regarded as a jewel in the FT’s crown. Editor Lionel Barber describes her as “a unique voice for the business community.”
Her invention of the character Martin Lukes, an egotistical and obnoxious business manager, attracted a huge audience and won Kellaway a columnist of the year award. She also turned the satirical column into a successful book.
In her latest incarnation, “Dear Lucy”, she acts as a business agony aunt attempting to solve problems sent by readers. She then broadcasts the columns on the BBC World Service.
Kellaway will retain her links with the FT because she has agreed to contribute 12 pieces a year for the paper. She said: “You could say I’m having my cake and eating it because I will still write for the FT. After all, there are long school holidays.”
Barber spoke of his admiration for Kellaway’s willingness to “give something back to the community” by taking up a teaching post.
He said: “I love Lucy as a journalist and as a personal friend. She has done an incredible job for the FT family over three decades and I’m delighted that she will continue to write for us.”
Kellaway, who is 57, joined the FT in 1985 after working in a foreign exchange dealing room and then at the Investors Chronicle. In her years with the paper she has had spells as energy correspondent, Brussels correspondent, a Lex writer and interviewer.
In October last year, she revealed in her column that she had separated from her husband, David Goodhart. They have four grown-up children.