Royall going forward

The BBC's boss of Digital News, Naja Nielsen, has confirmed Paul Royall as the Executive News Editor of the BBC News Channel on a permanent basis.

It's been an entertaining year for Paul as interim editor; in July he managed to add to his academic qualifications with a Masters in Business and Strategic Leadership from Cranfield, as well as the 2023 Media Transformation Challenge (MTC) Program: A Poynter Institute Executive Fellowship. He's lost presenter Yalda Hakim, acquired Steve Lai, Sumi Somaskanda and Caitriona Perry, and has presumably authorised regular salary payments to the unused Martine Croxall, Karin Giannone, Geeta Guru-Murthy, Kasia Madera and Annita McVeigh

Paul Royall says: "I am delighted to be leading the BBC News Channel on a permanent basis. This is a hugely talented team and I’m excited by everything we can achieve for audiences going forward. 2024 will be another momentous year of news, and it will be a privilege to be at heart of if for the channel."

Naja Nielsen, Digital Director, BBC News says: "Paul is an inspiring and brilliant news leader with a very strong editorial compass. The news channel has successfully undergone the biggest reform in its life. The channel has gone from strength to strength over the past year, with an offer that is more live, has more depth and sits at the very heart of BBC News, working closely with our specialist units and digital teams. He is nurturing a culture of ambition, teamwork and courage. In a time of radical change of the media landscape, Paul is the right person to drive forward the BBC News Channel."