Financial Times Leadership bespoke eLearning
Project Overview
The Financial Times asked First Media to create a bespoke digital learning programme for their Board Director Programme. The goal was to migrate their existing content into Canvas LMS, making it more engaging, scalable, and suitable for a global audience.
We developed a highly interactive solution that combined scenario-based video, custom activities, and localisation for different regions. This case study outlines the objectives, challenges, and outcomes of the project.
Objectives & Challenges
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Migration to Canvas LMS - moving leadership training content to a modern, scalable platform.
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Engagement - transforming static content into interactive, story-driven learning.
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Localisation - adapting content for both UK and Asia, ensuring cultural relevance.
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Flexibility - ensuring the content could be easily updated by the FT team in future.
Fully Customised 20-Hour eLearning Programme
Given the extensive content to be migrated to the platform, we began with a high-level design process to review existing materials and identify opportunities for interactive activities and collaboration.
We built all content directly within the Canvas platform, avoiding separate SCORM modules for easier management and quicker updates.
Our front-end design and development team created a custom JavaScript framework, resulting in a bespoke interface tailored for the Financial Times.
This allowed for custom interactions beyond the standard Canvas offerings. Our eLearning design team then integrated the content, adding custom-designed graphics, animations, and interactive activities, including forums and case studies to foster collaboration among candidates.
Expert and Scenario-Based Video Production
As part of the course, we produced a series of expert-led videos filmed at the Financial Times' state-of-the-art studios in London. Additionally, we created scenario-based videos with actors portraying non-executive directors in various situations to support practical learning.
Outcomes
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A complete, 20-hour digital learning programme rolled out to FT leadership teams.
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Increased learner participation and enthusiasm, confirmed through learner feedback.
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Content successfully localised for UK and Asia, making the programme relevant for a global workforce.
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Improved scalability: the programme can be delivered to more learners at lower cost compared to face-to-face training.
FAQs
he programme was delivered through Canvas LMS, customised with a bespoke JavaScript framework.
The final programme consisted of around 20 hours of learning content.
Interactive video scenarios, quizzes, branching activities, and click-to-reveal exercises.
Yes, content was localised for both UK and Asia to ensure cultural relevance.
Yes, we built the course in a way that allows the FT team to make updates independently, reducing long-term costs.
"We engaged with the FT Board Director Programme’s online courses to ensure all board members had a unified understanding of fundamental principles. The flexibility of online learning was appreciated, and participation was enthusiastic across the board. The programme has significantly bolstered our confidence in performing to the highest standards." Angela Mackay, Managing Director
