Fairfax Media NZ’s Paul Thompson departs executive editor role for CEO role at Radio NZ

Fairfax Media last night announced the departure of group executive editor, Paul Thompson (left), to take up his position as newly appointed CEO and editor-in-chief of Radio New Zealand.

Fairfax Media acting managing director, Andrew Boyle, congratulated Thompson on his appointment.

Says Boyle: “Paul has been a terrific journalist, editor and leader at Fairfax Media for 18 years. As group executive editor for the last six years, he has led many changes and made a substantial contribution to our business. He has overseen a significant number of key initiatives for Fairfax, which has left us strongly placed as the preeminent news provider in New Zealand.”

Thompson served as editor of The Press from 2001 to 2007 and during his editorship, The Press was twice named NZ newspaper of the year. He also edited the Nelson Mail and had significant newsroom positions at Waikato Times.

Says Thompson: “I have loved my time with Fairfax. I’m immensely proud of all the things we’ve achieved as a team and I will leave with a sense of sadness. But it is the right time for me to take on this new challenge at CEO level.”

Mr Thompson will leave Fairfax Media in September and the company will soon begin the search for his replacement.