View all newsletters
Sign up for our free email newsletters

Fighting for quality news media in the digital age.

  1. Publishers
  2. Magazines
August 28, 2009

Fraser replaces D’Ancona at The Spectator

By Dominic Ponsford

Matthew d’Ancona is stepping down from his job as editor of The Spectator after three and a half years in the post at the end of next week to “pursue other interests”.

He will continue to write a weekly column for the Sunday Telegraph.

He is to be replaced by Fraser Nelson, the magazine’s political editor who joined the title from The Scotsman in February 2006.

D’Ancona said: “After more than three and a half delightful and rewarding years as editor, exciting opportunities are arising and I have decided to move on.

“Like the role of Bond or Doctor Who, the Spectator editorship is a precious trust to be held for a limited period of time, and I had always envisaged moving on once my goals were achieved.

“The media is changing at an extraordinary pace and I now want to take on fresh challenges – about which I plan to say more in due course. Meanwhile, I would like to thank my wonderful colleagues from the bottom of my heart and to pay tribute to them for their friendship, loyalty and magnificent work.”

D’Ancona, 41, joined the Spectator from the Sunday Telegraph where he was deputy editor.

Content from our partners
MHP Group's 30 To Watch awards for young journalists open for entries
How PA Media is helping newspapers make the digital transition
Publishing on the open web is broken, how generative AI could help fix it

In the first six months of this year sales of The Spectator were down 2.4 per cent to just over 75,000.

New Spectator editor Nelson, 36, said: “I am thrilled to succeed Matthew in the editor’s chair and am proud to have been part of the team he has built in the last few years. His legacy is a magazine which has more verve, clout and readers than ever before – and with as much presence online as on the newsstands. Following Matthew will be an awesome task, but one made easier by what he has accomplished.

“Against the cacophony of the 24 hour news era, there has never been a greater need for what The Spectator offers: wit, style, mischief, elegance of thought and independence of opinion.

“As editor I will aim to protect and project its unique voice, combining the best literary and arts coverage in Britain with agenda-setting analysis. To edit The Spectator is, quite simply, the greatest honour in journalism and I hugely look forward to what lies ahead.”

Email pged@pressgazette.co.uk to point out mistakes, provide story tips or send in a letter for publication on our "Letters Page" blog

Select and enter your email address Weekly insight into the big strategic issues affecting the future of the news industry. Essential reading for media leaders every Thursday. Your morning brew of news about the world of news from Press Gazette and elsewhere in the media. Sent at around 10am UK time. Our weekly does of strategic insight about the future of news media aimed at US readers. A fortnightly update from the front-line of news and advertising. Aimed at marketers and those involved in the advertising industry.
  • Business owner/co-owner
  • CEO
  • COO
  • CFO
  • CTO
  • Chairperson
  • Non-Exec Director
  • Other C-Suite
  • Managing Director
  • President/Partner
  • Senior Executive/SVP or Corporate VP or equivalent
  • Director or equivalent
  • Group or Senior Manager
  • Head of Department/Function
  • Manager
  • Non-manager
  • Retired
  • Other
Visit our privacy Policy for more information about our services, how New Statesman Media Group may use, process and share your personal data, including information on your rights in respect of your personal data and how you can unsubscribe from future marketing communications.
Thank you

Thanks for subscribing.

Websites in our network