Sky News journalist to become second female Newsnight editor

ESME WREN has become the second female editor of Newsnight in the BBC show’s 38-year history.

Currently the head of politics, business and specialist journalism at Sky News, she will replace Ian Katz, who left the BBC in November 2017.

The only other woman to serve as editor of the flagship news programme was Sian Kevill, who held the role from 1998 to 2002.

Wren, inset, began her journalism career at the BBC in 1999 as a producer on Newsnight and she said she was delighted to return.

She said: “It is a great honour and privilege to be returning to

Newsnight to lead this exceptional team of award-winning and creative journalists.

“There couldn’t be a more exciting time to edit the programme that leads the way in cutting through the constant noise of political, social and global change. “The last 12 years at Sky News could not have been better. “I’ve been given the opportunities to grow and develop that have prepared me to now take on one of the best jobs in British journalism.” Fran Unsworth, director of BBC news and current affairs, welcomed the move. She said: “Newsnight is in Esme’s DNA. “It’s where she began her broadcasting career and we’re delighted to welcome her back to the BBC as its editor. “She brings with her a wealth of TV and political expertise, and she’s worked with some of the finest names in the business.

“We are all looking forward to having Esme at the helm of one of our most important programmes.

“I’d also like to say a huge thank-you to Jess Brammar and Dan Clarke, who have been editing Newsnight since Ian’s departure.”

Newsnight is one of the BBC’s flagship news and current affairs programmes.

The programme’s journalism has included in-depth reports on the victims of Grenfell tower and the Rohingya crisis.

Both of those programmes have been nominated for Royal Television Society awards, along with Emily Maitlis’ interview with Theresa May after the Grenfell tragedy, which is nominated for Interview of the Year.

In total the programme has picked up five nominations.