Chris Mason, who describes himself as a ‘proud Yorkshireman’, has been announced as BBC’s new political editor.
Mason, who has been a political correspondent for BBC News for over 10 years, will replace Laura Kuenssberg in May after the local elections.
Commenting on his appointment, Kuenssberg congratulated him on ‘the best daily job in the business’.
Huge congrats and welcome to the best daily job in the business, to colleague, great friend and of course #newscaster @ChrisMasonBBC
— Laura Kuenssberg (@bbclaurak) April 13, 2022
He grew up in Grassington in the Yorkshire Dales and has been the presenter of BBC Radio 4’s Any Questions? since 2019, which he will continue to present until the summer.
Starting his career as an ITN trainee, he has been a daily broadcast news reporter for nearly 20 years. He spent time as BBC Radio 5 Live’s political reporter, co-presented the network’s Question Time Extra Time and also spent two years in Brussels as a Europe Correspondent.
He is also an occasional presenter on BBC Breakfast and regularly appears on Newscast, a podcast and television programme.
Chris Mason said: “What a tremendous privilege to take on what, for me, is the most extraordinary job in British broadcasting and journalism. I clamber upon the shoulders of giants like Laura, Nick and Andrew with a smattering of trepidation and a shedload of excitement and enthusiasm.
“To lead the best team of journalists in the business on the best news patch of the lot is something I’d never even dared dream of. I can’t wait to get started.”
Jonathan Munro, Interim Director of BBC News, added: “Chris has been an exceptional correspondent in an extraordinary time for British politics. His calm, incisive analysis and signature candid style have been invaluable for audiences when navigating complex stories. His ambition and vision for the Political Editor role is really exciting and I wish him every success in the new post.”
