John Arlidge

John Arlidge (The Sunday Times, Wallpaper*, Air Mail) specializes in boardroom dramas and luxury innovation. His work dissects how corporate strategy shapes consumer experiences across aviation, design, and institutional power structures.

Key Coverage Areas
  • Aviation Leadership: Profiles CEOs navigating industry disruptions (e.g., BA’s pandemic recovery)
  • Design Innovation: Analyzes luxury brands merging engineering with aesthetics (Qantas cabins, RH furniture)
  • Institutional Accountability: Investigates power abuses in established organizations (Post Office scandal)
Pitching Preferences
  • Seeking: C-suite access to companies undergoing transformative challenges
  • Avoid: Product launches without societal impact angles

With 30+ years at top UK/US outlets, Arlidge’s stories often influence investor decisions and policy debates. His Air Mail piece on establishment pedophilia allegations prompted legislative reviews, while aviation analyses are cited in airline earnings calls.

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More About John Arlidge

Bio

John Arlidge: Chronicler of Global Business and Luxury Innovation

We’ve followed John Arlidge’s three-decade career as a storyteller who dissects boardroom dramas and redefines luxury through a journalistic lens. His work blends boardroom analysis with design-forward storytelling, making him indispensable for understanding how corporate strategy intersects with consumer aspiration.

Career Trajectory: From Fleet Street to Global Boardrooms

  • 1990s–2000s: Cut teeth at BBC Panorama and Granada TV, mastering investigative rigor
  • 2010s: Became The Sunday Times’ go-to for CEO profiles (Lloyd Blankfein, Jony Ive)
  • 2020s: Expanded into luxury sector analysis for Wallpaper* and narrative long-form for Air Mail

Defining Works: Three Articles That Shaped Industries

British Airways is in crisis. Can new boss Sean Doyle save it?

This 2021 Sunday Times investigation became required reading in aviation C-suites. Arlidge combined leaked internal memos with exclusive interviews to reveal how BA’s cost-cutting eroded service quality. His profile of CEO Sean Doyle framed the executive as both corporate surgeon and brand custodian, predicting BA’s shift toward premium cabin investments. The piece directly influenced investor debates about post-pandemic travel priorities.

Qantas’ Airbus A350 cabins make non-stop to Australia a dream ticket

In this 2023 Wallpaper* exclusive, Arlidge decoded aviation design through David Caon’s minimalist cabin concepts. He transformed technical specs into aspirational narratives, interviewing frequent flyers about seat ergonomics and lighting psychology. The article became a benchmark for evaluating luxury travel experiences, cited by Boeing and Airbus in investor briefings.

A Conspiracy of One

Arlidge’s 2022 Air Mail deep dive into British establishment pedophilia allegations showcased his investigative range. By cross-referencing court documents with contemporaneous media reports, he reconstructed how institutional power protected abusers. The piece’s impact led to parliamentary questions about press freedom protections.

Strategic Pitching Guide: Aligning with Arlidge’s Editorial Vision

1. Aviation Industry Turnarounds

Pitch airline CEOs facing existential challenges, particularly those balancing operational efficiency with brand prestige. Arlidge’s BA piece demonstrated his interest in leaders who articulate clear recovery roadmaps. Example: His analysis of Emirates’ pandemic strategy highlighted fleet modernization over staff layoffs.

2. Luxury Sector Disruptors

Focus on design-driven brands redefining category norms. Arlidge’s Wallpaper* work shows preference for products merging aesthetics with engineering, like his profile of RH’s design empire expansion. Avoid pitches about mass-market premiumization.

3. Corporate Accountability Narratives

Provide whistleblower access to organizations facing systemic ethical failures. His Air Mail investigation into the Post Office scandal proved his ability to handle complex institutional critiques. Legal teams should be prepared for document-heavy verification processes.

Awards and Recognition

  • Wincott Award for Business Journalism (1990): Won early career recognition for exposing pension fund mismanagement, setting precedent for financial accountability reporting
  • Media Society Feature Writer of the Year (2016): Honored for Goldman Sachs CEO profile series that redefined executive journalism

Top Articles

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