Shruti Tripathi Chopra, an Indian origin journalist based in the United Kingdom, has been awarded the prestigious Freedom of the City of London in recognition of her outstanding contributions to financial journalism and her continued efforts to promote diversity, equity, and inclusion within the global finance industry. The honor was conferred during a ceremony held on Saturday at London’s historic Guildhall.
Chopra currently serves as Editor-in-Chief of Dow Jones publications Financial News and Private Equity News, where she has played a defining role in shaping business and financial reporting. Reacting to the recognition, Chopra described the moment as deeply meaningful and reflective of her long professional journey. She shared that arriving in the UK as a student with ambitious dreams eventually led to a career she never imagined would culminate in such a distinguished civic honor. She expressed pride not only for her personal achievement but also for representing Indians working across the world.
The Freedom of the City of London is one of the oldest surviving traditional ceremonies in the country, dating back to the 13th century. It is awarded to individuals who have made significant contributions to London’s financial district, commonly referred to as the Square Mile. Over the years, the honor has been bestowed upon prominent Indian figures such as Jawaharlal Nehru, Ratan Tata, and actor Shabana Azmi, along with global leaders including Nelson Mandela and Winston Churchill.
The ceremony was officiated by the Clerk of the Court and attended by Chopra’s family, including her parents, who traveled from Delhi, and her four-year-old daughter. According to an official statement, Chopra holds several historic distinctions within Dow Jones. She is the youngest editor to lead Financial News and Private Equity News, and also the first woman and first person of color to hold the position in the nearly three-decade history of the publications. She has been associated with Dow Jones since January 2019.
Beyond editorial leadership, Chopra is widely recognized for championing inclusion in the finance sector. She has spearheaded initiatives such as the “100 Most Influential Women in Finance” list and launched the “Pride of Finance” list, which highlights workplace inclusion stories of senior LGBTQIA+ professionals. The award acknowledges her journalistic leadership, commitment to ethical business reporting, and efforts to amplify underrepresented voices.
Chopra holds a master’s degree in International Journalism from Cardiff University and has received multiple accolades, including Social Value Journalist of the Year at the Aviva Investors Media Awards and Journalist of the Year for Stewardship at the State Street Awards.
