Leaving Reuters, keeping in touch

It is 40 years since I began my first paid job in journalism, on a Welsh newspaper, and 35 years since I answered the advert that led me to the Reuters building on Fleet Street. Some of my newspaper colleagues sneered at my move to a “wire agency” but in the company of people such as George Short, Clare McDermott and the legendary “horsemen” who ran the desk, I knew I had found somewhere I could be proud to work. 

Surrounded by multilingual colleagues, I marvel at my luck in getting three great English-language postings, to South Africa, India and Australia. In London, I retrained as a financial journalist and collaborated with more learned colleagues to write books about bond markets and the EU’s determination to achieve monetary union. Reuters sent me to Europe’s greatest cities where I sat in windowless offices editing news on the creation of the euro, a story that will no doubt keep many of you busy long after my departure. The Polling Unit offered a novel way into big news stories and a welcome return to India to recruit pollsters in Bangalore.

These last years on the editing desk complete the circle: individuals and technologies move on, the principles and values are constant.

For now, I intend to take a belated career break to explore British footpaths and to enjoy the company of family and friends, including of course former colleagues.

I could append an Oscar-length list of tributes to people who have taught and otherwise supported me over the years, but I trust you know who you are.  

I will, of course, get my multimedia news from reuters.com.

Please keep in touch via my domestic ID: ruth.thomas35@gmail.com 

Postscript: Drinks at Davy’s wine bar, Canary Wharf from 1630-2030 on Wednesday 17 May. ■