National newspaper The Australian has appointed Michelle Gunn as Editor in Chief, the first woman to take on the role in what the paper has described as a “new chapter”.
Gunn replaces Chris Dore, who resigned abruptly last year.
The Australian has also announced a new Editorial Board to provide “input and feedback on enhancements for the masthead’s editorial direction”, as well as the appointment of Sky News chief executive Paul Whittaker as Chair of the new board.
Gunn has been described as understanding “The Australian’s relationship with its audience” and will follow her two years as editor of The Australian, and eight years as editor of The Weekend Australian.
Gunn will report to News Corp Executive Chairman Michael Miller, with the paper declaring she has overseen record readership at The Australian as Editor. She’s been described as a great journalist, mentor and boss by colleagues on social media.
“I am honoured to be appointed editor-of-chief. The Australian has an important duty to lead national debates and forge new paths for its longstanding commitment to journalism of the highest quality and I look forward to embracing these challenges,” Gunn said on her appointment.
On stepping down as Editor in Chief late last year, Dore reported “personal health issues” for the sudden departure. The Guardian later reported that Dore had been at the Wall Street Journal Tech Live event in California alongside other top News Corp executives.