Sky has announced two appointments to a new leadership structure that will guide the broader Sky News Group organisation into the future the company has confirmed.
Nigel Baker, Chair of the Sky News Editorial Board:
“The last 12 months have shown that Sky News’ impartial, independent journalism has never been more important. The Board values the commitment of David Rhodes and Jonathan Levy to maintaining the integrity of Sky News and ensuring its original, eyewitness journalism reaches millions of people every day.”
David Rhodes has been appointed Executive Chairman, Sky News Group with overall responsibility for Sky’s news services across EMEA. This pan-European role will focus on the development of a long-term commercial strategy for both Sky News in the UK and TG24 in Italy.
Also confirmed is the promotion of Jonathan Levy to Managing Director and Executive Editor of Sky News UK, with the primary responsibility for journalism on all UK Platforms including digital, TV and audio.
Dana Strong, Group Chief Executive Officer, Sky:
“I am delighted with these appointments, which will ensure that we continue to produce eye-catching journalism of which we can all be proud. David has a wealth of commercial experience, strategic insight and digital acumen and Jonathan is a highly experienced news executive with first class judgement and a successful track record of editorial delivery at Sky. Together they will ensure that innovation and dynamism is coupled with rock solid journalism.”
David Rhodes has more than 25 years of experience in journalism, including eight years as President of CBS News. He previously led Bloomberg Television in the US and has also done advisory work with the L.A. Times, Spotify, and BCG. Rhodes joined Sky as Group Director of International Business Development from News UK in 2021. David will report to Cecile Frot-Coutaz, CEO of Sky Studios.
David Rhodes, Executive Chairman, Sky News Group:
“It is a great honour to be appointed to lead the Sky News Group. Throughout my career I’ve admired Sky’s commitment to accurate, impartial, high-quality journalism. Together we will bring this important news coverage to audiences around the UK, Europe, and the wider world.”
Jonathan Levy will be responsible for more than 500 journalists around the world and for upholding Sky News UK’s reputation for accuracy and impartiality. He will ensure Sky News remains a leader in innovative technical production and original journalism.
Levy has been in the role of Director of Newsgathering and Operations with the organisation since 2011 and was previously Head of Politics – helping to successfully negotiate Britain’s first televised Prime Ministerial debates. Levy and Giuseppe De Bellis, Managing Director and Executive Editor, TG24, will report into Rhodes.
Jonathan Levy, Managing Director and Executive Editor, Sky News UK:
“It’s the greatest privilege to lead Sky News’ journalism when there’s such an urgent need for impartial and independent reporting and analysis. There is an exceptional team of journalists here with a burning passion for hard-hitting visual storytelling. With investment in our journalism and audiences growing on all our platforms , there’s never been a better time for news at Sky.”
These new appointments and leadership structure have been approved by the Sky News Editorial Board and both Rhodes and Levy will be responsible for Sky News’ integrity and editorial independence. Changes are confirmed following the announcement in December 2022 that John Ryley would depart as Head of Sky News after 17 years at the helm.
The channel and ITV News recently came under criticism from the late Nicola Bulley’s family who said they had their privacy invaded by both organisations while Nicola was still missing – and once her body had been found – having seemingly fallen in a river. TV regulator Ofcom last week said it had written to Sky News and ITV “to ask them to explain their actions”.
Bulley family statement:
“We tried last night (Sunday) to take in what we had been told in the day, only to have Sky News and ITV making contact with us directly when we expressly asked for privacy. They again have taken it upon themselves to run stories about us to sell papers and increase their own profits. It is shameful they have acted in this way. Leave us alone now.”
