The chief political correspondent at The Times is leaving to head the centre- right think tank Policy Exchange.
Anthony Browne, who was previously Brussels correspondent at The Times and has worked at The Observer and the BBC, is working out four months’ notice. He said: “In journalism you spend your life writing about what other people do. I’m doing this so I can be a player on the pitch rather than standing on the sidelines going ‘yah boo sucks’ and throwing bottles at people.” Browne admits he was a “last minute candidate” for the job and that the offer came unexpectedly, though he has been commissioned to write pamphlets for three other think tanks. He faces the prospect of leaving his Westminster office and moving a few hundred yards down the road to Policy Exchange’s headquarters on Storeys Gate, where he will lead a team of 17. While Browne said he had no desire to be an elected politician, he would not rule out a move into politics – or a return to the newsroom.
“My entire career has been without any long-term strategy.” His replacement will be Francis Elliot, Whitehall editor at The Independent on Sunday.
Elliot was named political journalist of the year at last year’s British Press Awards.
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Chief executive of the Kent Messenger Group David Lewis is leaving the company next month. Lewis has been a member of the board for more than 10 years and was formerly editorial director. Lewis wants to spend more time with wife Brenda, who has had cancer for the past six years. During Lewis’s time the group developed a network of seven local radio stations.
Geraldine Allinson, chairman of the KM, said: “He has been a tower of strength over the past 10 years, in which the KM has had unprecedented growth and expansion, including launching papers in Bexley and Bromley, expanding our KMFM network of radio stations serving Kent, and building a strong senior management team.”
News editor at Archant Herts & Cambs John Adams is celebrating 40 years at the group. He began his career on 13 March 1967 as an 18-year-old trainee reporter at the North Herts Comet’s predecessor, The Pictorial.
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After six months Adams signed a two and a half year apprenticeship before progressing through the ranks. He said: “I’ve always enjoyed doing the job and the writing and sourcing of stories. I still get a buzz from it. You take a satisfaction from producing a good paper as a team.” Comet editor Darren Isted organised a surprise presentation at Stevenage Borough Council offices.
Herts and Cambs managing director Stuart McCreery presented John with a digital camera.
Aditya Chakrabortty joined The Guardian this week as economics leader writer. He was previously a senior producer at the BBC.
Michael Wright is leaving Pensions World this week to join Stuff magazine as news editor.
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