Alan Smith

Alan Smith is Head of Visual and Data Journalism at the Financial Times. A data visualisation specialist, he writes the FT's popular 'Chart Doctor' column.  An experienced presenter, Alan has lectured extensively on how to communicate with data. His TEDx talk "Why you should love statistics" was a TED.com featured talk in 2017.

Previously, he worked at the UK's Office for National Statistics where he founded its award-winning Data Visualisation Centre. Alan received a BA in Geography from the University of Lancaster and holds an MSc in GIS from Salford University. He was appointed OBE (Officer of the Order of the British Empire) in Queen Elizabeth II's 2011 Birthday Honours list.