Paul Bailey named as AFR editor; Sean Aylmer moves to national metro role
Paul Bailey has been named as editor of the Australian Financial Review seven years after joining the Fairfax newspaper.
The announcement came from new editor-in-chief Michael Stutchbury who left The Australian at the end of September.
The AFR has seen wholesale change this year with both CEO Michael Gill and editor Glenn Burge both being moved on in March.
Bailey, a former Walkley winner, joined the Fin as deputy editor in 2004 later becoming managing editor. His experience also includes stints as editor-in-chief of ACP’s now defunct The Bulletin and news editor of National Nine news in Sydney.
Stutchbury said: “Paul has maintained The Australian Financial Review’s momentum over the past six months as the leadership of the business was in transition. After working with him over the past four weeks, I have complete confidence in his ability to help lead the AFR into a new era of growth and influence.”
Bailey said: ‘’It’s a privilege to be part of the leadership of the Financial Review at this critical time of renewal and against the backdrop of wider transformation of the media industry.
According to the Fin’s announcement: “Paul will take over as Editor as the Financial Review makes a rapid transition to become a digital-led, multi-platform publisher. He will lead the development of the Financial Review’s unique integrated newsroom.”
Meanwhile, the AFR’s acting managing editor Sean Aylmer will move to the new role of national business editor within Fairfax Media’s metro division.
He will have responsibility for Business Day, Money and Investor across all of the metro division’s print and digital platforms.
Fairfax Metro’s national editor Garry Linnell said: “Our Business Day brand is Australia’s leading business site, and as one of the great talents in Australian business journalism, Sean will do an outstanding job in leading several exciting initiatives to further strengthen and capitalise on our market leadership.”
Aylmer was previously editor-in-chief of BRW. He said: “This is a great challenge and opportunity for me.”
Tim Burrowes founded Mumbrella in 2008. He worked on Mumbrella until 2021. At various points he was editor, content director and editor-at-large.
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