Senior Economics Correspondent at The Guardian (UK), specializing in macroeconomic policy, fiscal debates, and inequality metrics. With over 1,200 bylines since 2015, his work shapes public understanding of complex financial systems through data-driven storytelling.
We’ve followed Richard Partington’s evolution from a finance reporter to one of The Guardian’s most influential economics correspondents. Over his decade-long tenure, he’s become a cornerstone of the publication’s business and economics coverage, specializing in macroeconomic trends, fiscal policy, and their societal impacts. His work frequently bridges academic rigor and public accessibility, making complex topics like quantitative easing or trade deficits digestible for a broad audience.
This landmark analysis drew parallels between Trump’s 2025 tariff policies and historical economic crises, including the 1929 Wall Street crash. Partington synthesized data from IMF reports, interviews with Nobel laureates, and market volatility indices to argue that protectionist measures could trigger a global recession. The article’s impact was immediate: it was cited in parliamentary debates on UK trade policy and republished by academic institutions as a case study in geopolitical risk assessment.
In this deeply reported piece, Partington decoded the Bank of England’s controversial 2024 decision to lower interest rates amid stagflation concerns. By embedding exclusive interviews with MPC members and analyzing 30 years of monetary policy data, he revealed internal divisions about balancing inflation control with economic growth. The article became essential reading for financial analysts, prompting Reuters and Bloomberg to recalibrate their UK growth forecasts.
This forensic examination of Chancellor Jeremy Hunt’s 2025 budget exposed the tensions between austerity measures and public service funding. Partington’s access to Treasury insiders allowed him to map the political trade-offs behind headline figures, particularly the £3.6bn NHS shortfall masked by infrastructure spending pledges. The article sparked a #BudgetTransparency campaign on social media, with 12,000+ shares in its first 48 hours.
Partington prioritizes stories that reveal how legislation reshapes economic landscapes. A successful pitch might explore the unintended consequences of the Digital Services Tax on SME competitiveness, mirroring his 2023 investigation into Brexit-related customs delays. Avoid incremental updates on stock markets or corporate earnings calls.
His analysis of EU-UK regulatory divergence post-Brexit demonstrates appetite for datasets comparing multiple jurisdictions. Pitch ideas that pair UK economic indicators with Eurozone or Asian benchmarks, particularly in manufacturing output or green investment.
Stories linking macroeconomic trends to regional disparities resonate strongly. His 2024 series on “Levelling Down” used Gini coefficient analyses to show how inflation eroded northern England’s purchasing power faster than London’s. Propose access to localized wage growth data or case studies of welfare policy impacts.
While some outlets prioritize Elon Musk’s latest ventures, Partington’s work remains focused on systemic issues. A rejected pitch about NFT market crashes was redirected to The Guardian’s tech desk, per editorial guidelines.
His collaboration with LSE economists on pension fund climate risks shows openness to co-bylined research. Propose joint projects with university research centers studying automation’s labor market effects or gig economy taxation gaps.
“Economic policy isn’t about spreadsheets – it’s about whether families can heat their homes or graduates can escape debt. That’s where journalism steps in.”
Donald Trump’s escalating trade war has plunged global financial markets into the steepest rout since the spread of the Covid pandemic five years ago
Friday briefing: The Bank of England interest rate cut suggests there are more gloomy times ahead
Wednesday briefing: What’s in Hunt’s spring budget – and how will he pay for it?
At PressContact, we aim to help you discover the most relevant journalists for your PR efforts. If you're looking to pitch to more journalists who write on Finance, here are some other real estate journalist profiles you may find relevant:
