News International has appointed the chief of staff from England’s unsuccessful attempt to secure the 2018 football World Cup as its new director of corporate affairs.
Simon Greenberg has also previously worked as public affairs director of Chelsea Football Club and prior to that as a journalist for London Evening Standard, the News of the World and The Mail on Sunday.
Here is the full press release issued by News International this afternoon about Greenburg’s appointment:
News International today announces that it has appointed Simon Greenberg as Director of Corporate Affairs.
In this new role, Greenberg will report to Rebekah Brooks, Chief Executive. He will become a member of the Executive team and will lead a dedicated corporate affairs function at News International.
Simon Greenberg said: “News International is one of the most dynamic companies in Britain and is at the forefront of the dramatic changes and challenges facing the media industry globally. To be asked to play a senior role in that is a great honour and I look forward to working with all the team in meeting those challenges.”
Rebekah Brooks said: ‘Simon has great experience at very high levels in professional sport and the media making him ideal for this new and wide ranging corporate affairs role. I am delighted that he will be joining News International in such a senior capacity.”
Mr Greenberg’s appointment now gives News International distinct leadership of a dedicated team entirely focused on its UK publishing business. News International’s parent company, News Corporation, will continue to maintain a corporate affairs and public policy team, based in London, Brussels and Hong Kong, which will support the wider company’s activities in the UK, Europe and Asia.
Greenberg has most recently been the Chief of Staff on the England 2018 World Cup bid. In this role he was responsible for the strategic co-ordination of the bid’s campaign covering communications, international relations, PR, marketing and public affairs. From 2004-2009 he was Communications and Public Affairs Director, Chelsea Football Club. Prior to that, he worked in various roles as a journalist for The Evening Standard, the News of the World and The Mail on Sunday rising to become Assistant Editor on The Evening Standard.
Greenberg will join News International at the end of January.
Email pged@pressgazette.co.uk to point out mistakes, provide story tips or send in a letter for publication on our "Letters Page" blog
