Editor hopeful Lewis to handle Daily Telegraph relocation

by Daniel Farey-Jones, Brand Republic 24-Apr-06, 12:40

LONDON - One of the candidates for the vacant Daily Telegraph editor's chair, joint deputy editor Will Lewis, has been tasked with handling the group's relocation from Canary Wharf to Victoria, boosting his chances of taking over from Martin Newland.

Lewis is seen as a candidate for the editor's position on the Daily Telegraph, vacant since the resignation of Newland in November.

With Lewis concentrating on the Telegraph Group's relocation, his duties overseeing the business section of the Daily Telegraph go to Damian Reece, who has been named City editor.

Just weeks after he joined the Telegraph in summer 2005 to relaunch the business section, Lewis was made joint deputy editor along with former executive editor Neil Darbyshire.

Editor-in-chief John Bryant and chief executive Murdoch MacLennan have been in no hurry to replace Newland, but today's announcement could be interpreted as a signal in Lewis's favour.

Bryant said: "Damian will be an excellent editor of the Telegraph's new business section, building on its successful launch under Will. This allows Will the time he needs to concentrate on the company's move to Victoria later this year, which is a massive undertaking, and crucial to our business."

The relocation will provide an opportunity to reorganise the paper's editorial operations. Last month, the Telegraph Group moved to integrate the business section's print and digital editorial teams and has increased its digital investment with the launch of a daily podcast.

Reece arrived at the paper as deputy city editor in November, joining after two years as city editor at The Independent following four years as assistant city editor on at the Sunday Telegraph.

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