Editorial changes at the Independent and Evening Standard

Evgeny Lebedev has announced several changes to senior editorial roles at the Independent, the Evening Standard and Evening Standard Television.

Chris Blackhurst has been promoted from editor of the Independent to the role of group content director, responsible for editorial integration and content processes across all three companies.

Amol Rajan, the comment editor of the Independent, has been promoted to editor of the Independent. Previously in charge of Indy Voices, the move is particularly interesting in relation to the future of newspapers and the question of digital.

The Independent’s news editor Oliver Duff has been appointed editor of i. Lisa Markwell has been appointed editor of the Independent on Sunday and Ian Walker has been appointed group head of news. Ian will report to Chris Blackhurst in addition to his existing responsibilities as deputy editor of the London Evening Standard.

It is Amol’s appointment that will provoke the most conversation as his background in digital commentary will be seen as significant to his new role. He is also the first non-white editorial head of a UK national paper.

The reaction from Twitter was largely positive with congratulations for the new appointments:

Congrats to @amolrajan for getting the Indy editorship. Excellent journalist.

— Dan Sabbagh (@dansabbagh) June 17, 2013

Wow, @amolrajan becomes Fleet Street’s first non-white editor. Good luck to him. http://t.co/g7RsYpWXIG

— Murad Ahmed (@muradahmed) June 17, 2013

Proud that two of my protégés @amolrajan and @olyduff have been elevated to high office

— Simon Kelner (@Simon_Kelner) June 17, 2013

CisionPoint‘s Media Database has up-to-date information on editorial roles at all outlets including the Independent and Evening Standard. Live Media Updates can be found on Twitter @Media_Updates.