'A newsroom for the 21st century': Amol Rajan and Oliver Duff become editors of The Independent and i newspapers

Oliver Duff and Amol Rajan (Justin Sutcliffe)

New editors have been appointed at The Independent and i newspapers.

Amol Rajan, previously comment editor, becomes editor of The Independent - and the first non-white editor of a national newspaper. Oliver Duff, previously executive editor and news editor of The Independent, becomes the editor of i.

Lisa Markwell has also been appointed editor of The Independent on Sunday, having previously been executive editor.

The appointments means that the four editors of the titles owned by Evgeny Lebedev – The Independent, The Independent on Sunday, i and The London Evening Standard – are two women and two men educated at state schools.

The Independent’s former editor Chris Blackhurst is now group content director, overseeing editorial output and content creation across the newspapers, the website, and London Live TV, to be launched next spring.

Blackhurst said: “I’m delighted to be taking on this challenge. We have fantastic teams of journalists across our titles and I’m sure we can make even better use of their skills. We’re entering a truly multi-platform age – with London TV in addition to our successful digital and print operations. Now we must make available our quality journalism to a London, national and global audience.”

Duff replaces Stefano Hatfield, who is in charge of overseeing the new television channel.

Duff and Rajan are both 29 years old, but have been at the titles for several years, in Duff’s case, nine.

Evgeny Lebedev said: “Our businesses are at a critical stage and a bold approach is needed for our industry. Today I am continuing this approach by appointing as editors two highly talented young journalists. Their energy, creativity and resourcefulness will invigorate both The Independent and i.

"We are lucky to have in Chris Blackhurst a skilful and highly respected journalist with long experience of both The Independent and the Standard, and I thank him for what he has achieved as editor of The Independent. Lisa Markwell has already made an impact at The Independent on Sunday in her short time in charge.

"Our goal is to develop a pioneering and integrated newsroom for the 21st century, providing print, digital and television output 24/7."