Skapinker graduated with a BA in law from the University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg and a Master's degree from Queens' College, Cambridge.
Skapinker began his career as a Foreign Correspondent in Athens for CBS Radio News and Independent radio News, moving to the London Bureau of McGraw-Hill World News, then on the International Management Magazine as senior editor before joining the Financial Times in 1986 as a management writer.
In July 2005 Skapinker was appointed editor of the FT's weekend edition.
Skapinker was a member of the UK department for culture, media and sport ministerial working party on business tourism to Britain.
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