Laura Kuenssberg is leaving her role as political editor at the BBC.
The 45-year-old will step down from the position, which she has held since 2015, at Easter.
In a statement on Twitter, Kuenssberg wrote: ‘After nearly 7 years, in April I’m moving on from best daily reporting job + the most wonderful team in the business. It’s been an honour and an amazing ride – more to come in 2022! With love + thanks to all at @BBCPolitics.’
She is set to start a senior presenting and reporting role across the BBC, taking on a range of news and current affairs projects across TV, radio and online – with further details to be announced next year.
Kuenssberg was appointed as political editor in 2015, when she became the first woman to hold the role. She has covered two UK general elections, the Brexit referendum and its aftermath, and the government’s response to the Covid pandemic.
In October it was reported that Kuenssberg was set to join the Today programme as part of a major BBC reshuffle, although no time frame was given and the BBC is yet to comment publicly on the reports.
During her time as political editor, she presented two TV documentaries on Brexit and a podcast on the inside story of the response to Covid, as well as being a regular presenter of BBC Sounds’ most popular podcast of 2021, Newscast, successor to the award-winning Brexitcast, which has become a weekly TV programme.
In a release announcing her career move, Kuenssberg added: ‘I’ve been so lucky to do the best daily reporting job in the business, with the best colleagues anyone could wish for. It’s been incredible to occupy the chair during a time of such huge change and to try to make sense of it for our viewers, listeners and readers online.
‘I’ll miss the daily drama, and our wonderful team in Westminster, immensely. But after nearly seven years and what feels like decades’ worth of headlines, it’s time for the next move.’
BBC Director-General Tim Davie said: ‘Laura has been an outstanding BBC political editor throughout the most turbulent political times in living memory. Her incisive commentary, tough questioning and astute insight have guided our audiences through the last seven years.
‘She’s a superb interviewer and engaging presenter, and I’m thrilled that we are keeping her on our screens and airwaves. I’m looking forward to her next chapter.’
BBC Director of News Fran Unsworth added: ‘Laura’s a born journalist and she’s done an amazing job as political editor. She’s an energetic and determined story-getter, who gets straight to the heart of the issue and knows exactly the right questions to ask.
‘Our political coverage would have been immeasurably poorer without Laura as political editor. We’re lucky to have her.’
Before becoming political editor, Kuenssberg was chief correspondent and presenter on Newsnight, and prior to that, the business editor at ITV News between 2011 and 2014.
Kuenssberg started covering politics in 2003 as a political correspondent at the BBC working across programmes including Daily Politics and Today, Breakfast and the News at Ten.
She then became the BBC’s chief political correspondent from 2009 to 2011.
Before joining the BBC in 2000 as a trainee journalist in Newcastle, the brodcaster worked in local radio and TV and studied at Edinburgh and Georgetown Universities.
The BBC will begin a competitive recruitment process for her successor as political editor.
Credit: Original article published here.You can read this post on My Celebrity Life.
Laura Kuenssberg is leaving her role as political editor at the BBC.
The 45-year-old will step down from the position, which she has held since 2015, at Easter.
In a statement on Twitter, Kuenssberg wrote: ‘After nearly 7 years, in April I’m moving on from best daily reporting job + the most wonderful team in the business. It’s been an honour and an amazing ride – more to come in 2022! With love + thanks to all at @BBCPolitics.’
She is set to start a senior presenting and reporting role across the BBC, taking on a range of news and current affairs projects across TV, radio and online – with further details to be announced next year.
Kuenssberg was appointed as political editor in 2015, when she became the first woman to hold the role. She has covered two UK general elections, the Brexit referendum and its aftermath, and the government’s response to the Covid pandemic.
In October it was reported that Kuenssberg was set to join the Today programme as part of a major BBC reshuffle, although no time frame was given and the BBC is yet to comment publicly on the reports.
During her time as political editor, she presented two TV documentaries on Brexit and a podcast on the inside story of the response to Covid, as well as being a regular presenter of BBC Sounds’ most popular podcast of 2021, Newscast, successor to the award-winning Brexitcast, which has become a weekly TV programme.
In a release announcing her career move, Kuenssberg added: ‘I’ve been so lucky to do the best daily reporting job in the business, with the best colleagues anyone could wish for. It’s been incredible to occupy the chair during a time of such huge change and to try to make sense of it for our viewers, listeners and readers online.
‘I’ll miss the daily drama, and our wonderful team in Westminster, immensely. But after nearly seven years and what feels like decades’ worth of headlines, it’s time for the next move.’
BBC Director-General Tim Davie said: ‘Laura has been an outstanding BBC political editor throughout the most turbulent political times in living memory. Her incisive commentary, tough questioning and astute insight have guided our audiences through the last seven years.
‘She’s a superb interviewer and engaging presenter, and I’m thrilled that we are keeping her on our screens and airwaves. I’m looking forward to her next chapter.’
BBC Director of News Fran Unsworth added: ‘Laura’s a born journalist and she’s done an amazing job as political editor. She’s an energetic and determined story-getter, who gets straight to the heart of the issue and knows exactly the right questions to ask.
‘Our political coverage would have been immeasurably poorer without Laura as political editor. We’re lucky to have her.’
Before becoming political editor, Kuenssberg was chief correspondent and presenter on Newsnight, and prior to that, the business editor at ITV News between 2011 and 2014.
Kuenssberg started covering politics in 2003 as a political correspondent at the BBC working across programmes including Daily Politics and Today, Breakfast and the News at Ten.
She then became the BBC’s chief political correspondent from 2009 to 2011.
Before joining the BBC in 2000 as a trainee journalist in Newcastle, the brodcaster worked in local radio and TV and studied at Edinburgh and Georgetown Universities.
The BBC will begin a competitive recruitment process for her successor as political editor.
Credit: Original article published here.You can read this post on My Celebrity Life.