Stay up to date with notifications from The Independent

Notifications can be managed in browser preferences.

Sun editor Rebekah Wade to become chief executive of News International

Damon Wake,Press Association
Tuesday 23 June 2009 14:08 BST
Comments
(rex)

Your support helps us to tell the story

This election is still a dead heat, according to most polls. In a fight with such wafer-thin margins, we need reporters on the ground talking to the people Trump and Harris are courting. Your support allows us to keep sending journalists to the story.

The Independent is trusted by 27 million Americans from across the entire political spectrum every month. Unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock you out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. But quality journalism must still be paid for.

Help us keep bring these critical stories to light. Your support makes all the difference.

Rebekah Wade, the editor of The Sun, is to become chief executive of News International, it was announced today.

From September 1, she will assume responsibility for the day-to-day operations of all five of the company's UK newspapers: The Sun, The Times, The Sunday Times, News of the World and thelondonpaper.

Wade, the first woman to edit The Sun, has been at the paper's helm for more than six years, after a three-year stint editing the News of the World.

A new editor of The Sun will be announced later in the summer, according to a statement from News Corporation.

Wade said she was honoured to accept the post.

"Our titles are among the best in the world thanks to an unrelenting focus on high quality journalism that connects with its readers," she said.

"At such a crucial time for the newspaper industry, I am honoured to have the opportunity to work with the exceptional team here and believe that we have an exciting future."

The role of chief executive at News International is a new one. Since the departure of executive chairman Les Hinton in December 2007, senior executive decisions have been made by James Murdoch, parent company News Corporation's chairman and chief executive for Europe and Asia.

Wade will continue to report to James Murdoch, who will also become News International's executive chairman on September 1.

Rupert Murdoch, the chairman and chief executive of News Corporation, said: "Rebekah is a great campaigning editor who has worked her way up through the company with an energy and enthusiasm that reflects true passion for newspapers and an understanding of the crucial contribution that independent journalism makes to society.

"Her promotion reflects the importance of journalism to this business.

"News International has set a clear course, having reinvented itself with a new commercial structure and a commitment to investing in its journalism to deliver market share gains.

"I am confident that we have the right team to lead News International as we develop a new model for our industry.

"Personally, I'm thrilled that Rebekah's energetic leadership will be felt even more widely in the company."

Join our commenting forum

Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies

Comments

Thank you for registering

Please refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in