Background Richard Tompkins consumer industries editor of the financial Times where he has been a member of the editorial staff since 1983. He is currently based at the company,s London headquarters where he leads team of journalists covering the consumer goods sector and writes about consumer trends. Tomkins was born in Walsall, England, in 1952. His formal education ended at the age of seventeenBackground • Richard Tompkins: consumer industries editor of the Financial Times, where he has been a member of the editorial staff since 1983. He is currently based at the company’s London headquarters, where he leads team of journalists covering the consumer goods sector and writes about consumer trends, Tomkins was born in Walsall, England, in 1952. His formal education ended at the age of seventeen