Ian King: The Journalist Who Went From Banking to Sky News

Introduction

Ian King is a British business journalist and former Sky News presenter. He became widely known for hosting Ian King Live, a programme covering business news, financial markets and the economy.

His career started far from television.

He worked in banking first. Then came newspaper journalism. Years later, he became one of the familiar faces of business reporting on British television.

King joined Sky News in April 2014. He left on 30 April 2025, ending an 11-year broadcasting career with the channel.

He later continued his journalism through CNBC and other media work.

Quick Facts

Detail	Information
Full Name	Ian King
Nationality	British
Profession	Business journalist and broadcaster
Known For	Ian King Live and Business Live
Grew Up In	Bristol and Devon, England
Education	University of Manchester
Degree	History, 1989
Further Education	Postgraduate diploma in newspaper journalism
Former Banking Employer	Midland Bank
Newspaper Employers	The Daily Telegraph, The Guardian, Mail on Sunday, The Sun, The Times
Joined Sky News	April 2014
Left Sky News	30 April 2025
Major Awards	Business Journalist of the Year, 2005 and 2007
Later Media Work	CNBC and The Times

Early Life and Childhood

Ian King grew up in Bristol and Devon, two areas in southwest England.

His early years were spent away from the television studios and financial newsrooms that later became part of his professional life.

He attended school in North Devon before continuing his education.

What makes his story interesting is his route into journalism.

He did not start with television. His first major professional experience came in banking, after university.

That background eventually proved useful.

Financial journalism often deals with complicated subjects. King had already seen part of that industry from the inside.

Education and University Years

King studied History at the University of Manchester.

He graduated in 1989.

But university life offered another opportunity.

He became involved with The Mancunion, the university’s student newspaper, and took a year out of his degree to serve as its editor.

This gave him early editorial experience.

He learned about reporting, publishing and working with news stories before entering professional journalism.

After university, he initially chose banking.

His interest in journalism continued, though.

He later completed a postgraduate diploma in newspaper journalism at City University in London.

That decision changed his career.

He was ready to move from working with financial information to reporting on it.

Working in Banking Before Journalism

Before joining national newspapers, King worked for Midland Bank in the City of London.

He spent around three and a half years working in financial services.

His responsibilities included business analysis.

This was a useful starting point.

Banking involves money moving between businesses, investors and customers. It also requires an understanding of financial decisions and market conditions.

King later used this experience while covering business news.

He could explain financial stories with knowledge gained from working inside the industry.

Still, banking was not his final choice.

He wanted to write.

After completing his journalism training, he moved into financial reporting.

Starting His Newspaper Career

King began his professional reporting career at The Daily Telegraph.

This was an important early move.

The newspaper gave him an opportunity to write about companies, financial decisions and developments in the British economy.

He later worked at The Guardian and The Mail on Sunday.

Each position added to his experience.

Business reporting can move quickly. Company results are released. Share prices change. Banks make decisions. Governments announce new economic policies.

Journalists must check the facts and explain what happened.

King spent years doing exactly that.

His newspaper career eventually brought him into senior editorial roles.

Becoming Business Editor at The Sun

In 2000, King became business editor of The Sun.

He held the position for eight years.

The job involved covering major company news and economic developments for a large national readership.

It required more than reporting figures.

The business editor had to decide which stories mattered, check information and explain why financial developments deserved attention.

King’s work received professional recognition during this period.

He won Business Journalist of the Year at the 2005 UK Press Awards.

Two years later, he received another Business Journalist of the Year award at the 2007 London Press Club Awards.

These awards marked a successful period in his newspaper career.

But another major appointment was coming.

His Career at The Times

King joined The Times in 2008 as deputy business editor.

By early 2011, he had become business and City editor.

This was a senior position.

He helped oversee business coverage at one of Britain’s established national newspapers.

The work focused on corporate developments, financial markets and the economy.

His business team also received recognition at the 2012 UK Press Awards.

He spent almost six years at The Times.

Then television came calling.

In February 2014, Sky News announced that King would become its new business presenter.

He was preparing for a completely different working routine.

Joining Sky News in 2014

Sky News officially announced King’s appointment on 3 February 2014.

He joined the broadcaster in April.

His role was to present business news and explain major economic events to television viewers.

He succeeded Jeff Randall as the channel’s main business presenter.

For someone who had spent around two decades working in national newspaper journalism, the move was significant.

Writing a newspaper article is one thing.

Presenting live television is different.

There are cameras, producers, guests and breaking stories. Questions must be asked quickly, and difficult financial subjects need clear explanations.

King accepted the challenge.

His television programme launched in June 2014.

It became a major part of his public career.

The Success of His Business Programme

The first edition of Ian King Live aired on 2 June 2014.

The programme was initially broadcast from Sky’s City studio in the Gherkin building in London.

It focused on business, finance and economics.

King interviewed company leaders and financial experts while discussing stories affecting businesses and consumers.

The programme also helped viewers understand wider economic issues.

Think about interest rates.

A decision made by the Bank of England can affect mortgage costs and borrowing. A company takeover may affect jobs. A change in energy prices can increase household bills.

These were the kinds of stories King regularly covered.

The show changed its format and broadcasting schedule over the years.

In June 2023, it was renamed Business Live with Ian King.

By the time he left Sky News, he had presented more than 2,000 editions of his business programme.

That was a substantial television career.

Major Interviews and Business Coverage

King interviewed many senior business figures during his time at Sky News.

His official presenter biography states that he interviewed around two-thirds of FTSE 100 chief executives.

His guests also included prime ministers and leading figures from the financial sector.

The FTSE 100 includes many of the largest companies listed on the London Stock Exchange.

Interviewing their leaders gave King access to people making important business decisions.

He often asked about company performance, investment plans, market pressure and economic conditions.

His reporting covered major events, including Brexit, changes in global markets and the economic effects of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Business news was rarely quiet.

And live television meant the next major story could arrive at any moment.

His Reporting Style

King’s professional background helped define his approach.

He understood financial language.

But he also knew that many viewers were not economists or business executives.

His programme aimed to make financial news understandable to a wider audience.

He regularly discussed company earnings, borrowing costs, market movements and government economic decisions.

These subjects can sound complicated.

The main task was to explain what had happened and why it mattered.

In an article introducing his programme in 2014, King said he wanted business reporting to reach people beyond the regular readers of financial newspapers.

That idea remained central to the show’s purpose.

Journalism Awards and Achievements

King received several forms of professional recognition throughout his career.

His best-documented individual awards came during his newspaper years.

Year	Award or Achievement
2000	Became business editor of The Sun
2005	Business Journalist of the Year, UK Press Awards
2007	Business Journalist of the Year, London Press Club Awards
2008	Appointed deputy business editor of The Times
2011	Became business and City editor at The Times
2012	The Times business department received a UK Press Award
2014	Became business presenter at Sky News
2025	Completed 11 years at Sky News, having presented over 2,000 business programmes

These achievements reflect a career spanning both print journalism and television broadcasting.

He spent many years reporting financial news before viewers began seeing him regularly on screen.

Why Did He Leave Sky News?

King’s departure was announced in December 2024.

He officially left Sky News on 30 April 2025.

His final article for the broadcaster looked back at the people and events he had covered.

He recalled starting his programme in June 2014 and feeling nervous before his first live broadcast.

He also discussed how much the business world had changed during his time at Sky.

Technology companies had grown in financial importance. Markets had faced major shocks. Governments and central banks had dealt with difficult economic conditions.

After more than 2,000 broadcasts, he was closing a long chapter.

His departure ended an 11-year relationship with the broadcaster.

It did not mark the end of his journalism career.

What Is He Doing in 2026?

After leaving Sky News, King continued his work in business journalism.

He contributed to CNBC, the international financial news broadcaster.

One of his projects was CNBC UK Exchange, a newsletter focused on British business and economic developments.

His articles discussed major companies, investment conditions and challenges facing the UK economy.

The newsletter ran for around 15 months.

Its last edition was published on 19 August 2026.

King thanked readers and the editorial team in his farewell message.

His professional activity has also included business commentary linked to The Times and appearances on CNBC.

So, while he no longer presents his former Sky News programme, he has continued to work in financial media.

How His Career Changed British Business Reporting

King spent decades reporting on financial subjects.

That experience helped him move between different forms of journalism.

He began in newspapers, where detailed reporting and editorial judgement were central to the job.

Television required a different approach.

A presenter has limited time to explain a developing story. Interviews happen live. Market news can change during a broadcast.

King adapted to that format.

His career also reflects a wider change in journalism.

Business news was once closely associated with specialist newspaper sections. Television and online media helped bring those subjects to a much larger audience.

King worked across both.

His reporting included the decisions made by major companies and the effects those decisions could have on ordinary households.

That link between business and everyday life remained part of his public work.

Career Timeline

1980s: Studied History at the University of Manchester and edited The Mancunion.

1989: Graduated from the University of Manchester.

Early 1990s: Worked in banking before training as a professional journalist.

1990s: Reported for The Daily Telegraph, The Guardian and The Mail on Sunday.

2000: Became business editor of The Sun.

2005: Won Business Journalist of the Year at the UK Press Awards.

2007: Received Business Journalist of the Year at the London Press Club Awards.

2008: Joined The Times as deputy business editor.

2011: Became business and City editor at The Times.

2014: Joined Sky News and launched Ian King Live.

2023: His business programme was renamed Business Live with Ian King.

2025: Left Sky News after 11 years.

2026: Continued financial journalism and contributed to CNBC UK Exchange until its final edition in August.

Final Thought

Ian King spent years working in banking before finding his place in journalism.

He then built a career across some of Britain’s best-known newspapers.

Television came later.

His 11 years at Sky News introduced his financial reporting to a wider audience, and his work continued after he left the broadcaster.

His career shows how experience in one industry can help build a second profession.

In his case, banking came first.

Journalism became his life’s work.

Frequently Asked Questions

Who is Ian King?

Ian King is a British business journalist and former Sky News presenter. He is known for hosting Ian King Live and Business Live.

Is he still working for Sky News?

No. He left Sky News on 30 April 2025 after working at the broadcaster for 11 years.

Where did he study?

He studied History at the University of Manchester and later completed postgraduate training in newspaper journalism at City University in London.

What did he do before journalism?

He worked in banking, including a role at Midland Bank in the City of London.

Which newspapers employed him?

His newspaper career included The Daily Telegraph, The Guardian, The Mail on Sunday, The Sun and The Times.

Why is he famous?

He became widely known for explaining financial news on Sky News and interviewing senior business leaders.

What awards has he won?

He received Business Journalist of the Year honours at the 2005 UK Press Awards and the 2007 London Press Club Awards.

What is he doing now?

Following his departure from Sky News, he contributed to CNBC and continued his business journalism. He wrote for CNBC UK Exchange until its final edition in August 2026.