New editor for 'The Independent'

INDEPENDENT Newspapers (UK), the owner of The Independent and Independent on Sunday, has appointed Simon Kelner as the new editor of both newspapers.

Mr Kelner, 40, was a member of The Independent's founding staff and comes back to the paper from the Mail on Sunday's "Night and Day" magazine where he has been editor for the last two years. Mr Kelner said yesterday: "The Independent is a paper founded on the principles of journalistic excellence. With the backing of Independent Newspapers and their determination to invest in the long-term future of the titles I intend to focus on those qualities. They made The Independent great and they will make it great again."

He added: "I am excited about the prospect of moving The Independent forward in challenging times and in a very competitive marketplace."

Ian Birrell, executive editor of the Daily Mail, is to become deputy editor of The Independent.

Brendan Hopkins, chief executive of Independent Newspapers (UK), said: "These appointments underline our commitment to the future of The Independent and to strengthening the editorial resource.

"We expect to be in a position to announce a number of further senior appointments in the near future."

Andrew Marr, editor-in-chief of the two newspapers, has decided to leave the newspaper to follow other career opportunities. Mr Hopkins said: "We thank Andrew for his contribution. We continue to hold him in the highest regard and wish him every success."