Helen Thomas, currently a reporter on the FT Alphaville team, has been appointed Lex writer in the New York Bureau. Thomas replaces Julie Macintosh who recently moved to become US M&A correspondent.

Richard McGregor, Beijing bureau chief, is going on unpaid leave for a year. Geoff Dyer, currently Shanghai correspondent, will be replacing McGregor. Patti Waldmeir, legal columnist based in Washington, will move to China to take on the role of Shanghai correspondent.

[lnk|http://www.featuresexec.com/publications/info_features.php?pubid=353|_self|Financial Times]