Matthew Anderson stands down as News Corp’s group corporate affairs chief

Matthew Anderson, News Corp’s group director of strategy and corporate affairs for Europe and Asia, announced this afternoon that he is standing down from his position.

Anderson, who is often described as James Murdoch’s right-hand man, said:

It has been a great privilege to work for the world’s most diverse, global and dynamic media business. Few companies so consistently combine vision with the risk-taking and grit that’s required to bring about positive change and innovation in our industry.

I look forward to continuing my relationship with News Corporation as I return home to the Bay Area.

A statement release by News Corp said:

Mr Anderson will fulfill plans to return to the San Francisco Bay Area with his family and pursue new opportunities. He will continue his relationship with News Corporation as a senior advisor to the company focusing on select international initiatives and relevant directorships.

For more than a decade, Matthew has made a valuable contribution to building News Corporation’s businesses in Europe, Asia and the Middle East. He is a tenacious and effective executive whose counsel and skills have made a real difference,’said Rupert Murdoch, Chairman and CEO of News Corporation.

Mr Anderson began working with Star TV and News Corporation in 2000 when he was chief executive for the Asia Pacific region of Ogilvy Public Relations Worldwide based in Hong Kong. In 2005, he joined British Sky Broadcasting, where he served as Group Director, Communications and Brand Marketing, playing a leading role in developing Sky’s ‘Believe in better’brand positioning and ‘The Bigger Picture’social and environmental initiatives.

Sky became the world’s first carbon neutral media company – a target that News Corporation achieved several years later. Matthew joined News Corporation in April 2008 with a broad remit across Europe and Asia. In addition to his executive responsibilities, Mr. Anderson represents News Corporation on the Boards of Moby Group and Sky Pro Cycling. In 2006, he was named a Young Global Leader by the World Economic Forum.

James Murdoch, Deputy COO and Chairman and CEO International of News Corporation, said: ‘Matthew has played a key role in many of our most important projects for more than ten years. He has ranged across varied and wide terrain, and has been a versatile, resourceful and highly insightful colleague. The whole team will miss him greatly. Upon his long planned return to California with his family we wish him the very best and look forward to the next chapter.”