View all newsletters
Sign up for our free email newsletters

Fighting for quality news media in the digital age.

  1. Archive content
October 14, 2004updated 22 Nov 2022 12:14pm

Ahmed takes over as head of news

By Press Gazette

After returning from three months working on dummies of the new Berliner-size Observer , the paper’s political editor Kamal Ahmed has been promoted to executive editor, news.

He takes over from Andy Malone who walked out a month ago after six years in the job, leading to reports that there had been a spat between him and Ahmed.

Although Malone’s exit followed a weekend in which Ahmed had leapfrogged him to be acting deputy editor, insiders say the pair have not fallen out and remain good friends.

According to Observer editor Roger Alton, Malone will remain associated with the title and will be “writing across the paper from the New Year”.

Ahmed, 36, began his career at the Lennox Herald in Dunbarton after training at City University. He stayed for 18 months before going to Scotland on Sunday in 1993. He then joined The Guardian as a general reporter in 1996 – becoming media correspondent in 1997 and then media editor in 1998. He joined The Observer as political editor in 2000.

Although his new job title is executive editor, news, he is effectively news editor.

Content from our partners
MHP Group's 30 To Watch awards for young journalists open for entries
How PA Media is helping newspapers make the digital transition
Publishing on the open web is broken, how generative AI could help fix it

Speaking about the planned format change in 2006 he said: “It will be an exciting opportunity not just for me, but for all us, to go back to basics about what a Sunday newspaper is.”

He said no firm decisions have yet been taken on what changes are to be made to The Observer as part of the 2006 re-launch but a range of options, some radical, are being considered.

He added: “It is a great privilege to be able to tackle such an important job for The Observer . It’s an incredibly exciting time to be working here and I am delighted to be part of the team.”

By Dominic Ponsford

Email pged@pressgazette.co.uk to point out mistakes, provide story tips or send in a letter for publication on our "Letters Page" blog

Select and enter your email address Weekly insight into the big strategic issues affecting the future of the news industry. Essential reading for media leaders every Thursday. Your morning brew of news about the world of news from Press Gazette and elsewhere in the media. Sent at around 10am UK time. Our weekly does of strategic insight about the future of news media aimed at US readers. A fortnightly update from the front-line of news and advertising. Aimed at marketers and those involved in the advertising industry.
  • Business owner/co-owner
  • CEO
  • COO
  • CFO
  • CTO
  • Chairperson
  • Non-Exec Director
  • Other C-Suite
  • Managing Director
  • President/Partner
  • Senior Executive/SVP or Corporate VP or equivalent
  • Director or equivalent
  • Group or Senior Manager
  • Head of Department/Function
  • Manager
  • Non-manager
  • Retired
  • Other
Visit our privacy Policy for more information about our services, how New Statesman Media Group may use, process and share your personal data, including information on your rights in respect of your personal data and how you can unsubscribe from future marketing communications.
Thank you

Thanks for subscribing.

Websites in our network