Editorial position The big four BBC news figures

Carrie Gracie

China editor, £135,000 per year.

BBC journalist for 30 years, Gracie joined as a graduate trainee and took a Chinese degree at night school. She first reported from China in 1991 before returning to the UK over a decade ago. She presented on the BBC News Channel and took up the post of China editor in 2014.

Katya Adler

Europe editor, salary not disclosed. The British daughter of German parents, Adler joined the BBC in 1998 while in Austria. She has reported from Berlin, Madrid and the Middle East, and was Europe reporter for BBC World Service. Editor role from 2014.

Jon Sopel

North America editor, £200,000£249,999. Appointed in 2014. He has been lead anchor on BBC World News and a news presenter on BBC One. He was chief political correspondent and Paris correspondent. Covered four US elections.

Jeremy Bowen

Middle East editor, £150,000£199,999. Joined in 1984 and has been mostly a war correspondent. In 2000, he co-hosted BBC Breakfast, which he described as the toughest job of his career, and became Middle East editor in 2005.