The Times, Sunday Times and Sun today completed their move to a new building at London Bridge which News Corp’s chief executive Robert Thomson said would be a “monument to meritocracy”.
News Corp chairman Rupert Murdoch was present for the official opening of The News Building by London Mayor Boris Johnson, as was his son Lachlan and eldest daughter Prudence.
Former Times editor Thomson said: “Our company’s future would not be possible without the drive and conviction of one man and one family.
“Rupert Murdoch built this company. He created opportunities for all the employees in this room and far beyond, he has created a strong family and community culture that extends to all employees and a culture that has tangible continuity in his children.
"That continuity, that commitment is made manifest today with Pru and Lachlan’s presence.
“The logic behind the social architecture of this building was to create a monument to meritocacy. A place of work where there is an egalitarian ethos, where a great idea is a great idea regardless of its origin.
“It will be place of energetic empathy. A place furnished with purpose, with passion and with principle.”
Some 2,400 staff have already made the move to The News building opposite London Bridge railway station, including also the Times Literary Supplement
A further 1,000 News Corp UK staff will join them, including Dow Jones Newswires, the Wall Street Journal, Factiva and book publisher Harper Collins.
London Mayor Boris Johnson made reference to the Scottish referendum in his speech which spoke about News UK’s newspaper titles being “the most successful union in the history of Fleet Street”.
News UK chief executive Mike Darcey said: "Today marks a critical milestone for our world class journalism – the inimitable headlines, game-changing polls, first class commentary and courageous investigations. Our journalism sets the agenda and sets the standards and in this home I am confident we will secure its future for generations."
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