Guardian editor announces intention to quit
Alan Rusbridger will step down as editor in chief of the Guardian after 20 years next summer, he said today.
He said he would take over as chairman of the Scott Trust which owns Guardian Media Group.
Writing on Twitter, he said it was a “great honour to be asked to take this role”.
Will step down as editor in chief of the Guardian after 20 years next summer 3/3
— alan rusbridger (@arusbridger) December 10, 2014
Mr Rusbridger joined the paper, founded in 1821 as The Manchester Guardian, as a reporter in 1979 and became editor in 1995 succeeding Peter Preston.
Scott Trust founded to protect and safeguard Guardian. Important bastion of free speech & journalistic independence 2/3
— alan rusbridger (@arusbridger) December 10, 2014
In his stint in the top job, he has guided it through a change in format – it went from broadsheet to Berliner when many of its rivals went tabloid – and a move of office from London’s Farringdon to Kings Cross.
Announced tdy that I will succeed Liz Forgan as Scott Trust Chair in 2016. Great honour to be asked to take this role 1/3
— alan rusbridger (@arusbridger) December 10, 2014
He has guided the paper through the online revolution which has seen it commit itself to the principle of open access and attempt to become an international brand with offices in Australia and the United States.
