Lionel Barber
Lionel Barber has been editor of the Financial Times since November 2005. In his 24 years at the paper, he has been US managing editor, news editor, Brussels bureau chief, Washington correspondent and editor of the continental European edition. He has written several books and lectured on subjects including US foreign policy, transatlantic relations, European security and monetary union. In 2001, European Voice named Mr Barber one of the 50 most influential personalities in Europe. In the same year he was invited to brief George W. Bush on European affairs. Mr Barber began his career in journalism in 1978 with The Scotsman newspaper after graduating from Oxford University with a joint honours degree in German and modern history. He lives in London with his wife. They have two children.

Lakshmi Mittal
Lakshmi Mittal is president and chief executive of ArcelorMittal, the world’s largest steelmaker. Born in Rajasthan, India, he joined the family steel business after graduating from St Xavier’s College in Calcutta. He founded Mittal Steel Company (formerly LNM Group) in 1976, building the company through high-profile acquisitions, culminating in Mittal Steel’s takeover of Arcelor in 2006. This transformational deal saw Mr Mittal named Person of the Year 2006 by the Financial Times. Mr Mittal is a member of the World Economic Forum’s International Business Council and of the Advisory Board of the Kellogg School of Management. He sits on the International Advisory Board of Citigroup. He is married with a son, Aditya Mittal, ArcelorMittal’s chief financial officer, and a daughter, Vanisha Mittal Bhatia.