The Press Association has named one of its former sub-editors as its new editor-in-chief.
Pete Clifton replaces Jonathan Grun, who steps down after 14 years in the role at the end of December.
Clifton previously worked for PA in the mid-90s, when he was chief sub-editor of PA Sport and editor of PA’s Teletext service.
Pete Clifton
He went on to spend 15 years at the BBC in various senior positions including head of editorial development, head of news interactive, editor of BBC News website, launch editor of BBC Sport website and editor of Ceefax, before being made redundant in 2011.
For the past three years he has been executive producer for MSN in the UK, leading a 70-strong editorial team managing content.
Tony Watson, managing director of PA, said: “Pete Clifton has a reputation in the industry as an editorial heavyweight and we are delighted to have appointed him to this key position. He joins PA at an exciting time, when the opportunities and challenges presented by huge changes in news consumption are encouraging tremendous innovation and creativity in story-telling.
“He will bring to the role an impressive combination of editorial judgement, digital insight, and the leadership qualities to bring about the changes necessary to remain relevant in a rapidly evolving media market.
Clifton added: “I am thrilled to have this opportunity to lead the PA’s editorial operations. As someone who has worked for PA and also been a customer, I am passionate about its reputation for fast, fair and accurate journalism. I look forward to helping PA prosper at the heart of the UK’s media landscape in the digital age.”
