December 3, 2015

Kamal Ahmed moves from business to economics editor of BBC, replacing Robert Peston

Kamal Ahmed has been named as the replacement for Robert Peston as BBC economics editor.

Ahmed moves to the new beat having been the corporation's business editor since March 2014.

Previously, he was business editor of The Sunday Telegraph and political editor of The Observer.

Ahmed's move to being economics editor was announced today by head of BBC News James Harding.

He said: "The BBC’s Economics Editor is one of the most important jobs in journalism. It requires close examination of the Treasury, the Bank of England and policy across government as well as the capacity to report the forces that shape the business environment, the global economy and all of our household budgets. I know that Kamal will bring intelligence and insight to that important task.”

Ahmed said: “I have had a wonderful time as business editor of the BBC and am delighted and privileged to be moving to this new, connected, role – bringing home the importance of economics to our UK and global audiences and covering the policy areas that affect our financial outlook on the world.

“Following the financial crisis, we are experiencing a fascinating and dislocating time in economics and politics, two areas so intimately related. I look forward to working with all my brilliant colleagues, doing our best to explain the economic world to the millions of people who turn to the BBC every day.”

The BBC said a new business editor would be appointed in the New Year.

Peston left the BBC to become political editor of ITV News. This move came shortly after Nick Robinson was replaced by Laura Kuenssberg as BBC political editor.