James White, chief commercial officer at The Standard, will leave the business after 19 years.
White has been instrumental in the rapid evolution of the Evening Standard, including the move to a free newspaper, the launch of a fast-growing digital portfolio and steering the business through the pandemic.
Under his leadership and vision, the commercial team have provided large, award-winning and profitable multi-platform partnerships to global brands, while delivering innovation in the legacy print advertising business.
For the wider ESI Group, White was key to The Independent’s transition to a digital pure play in 2015, doubling revenues and helping secure the sale of the i news brand.
Albert Read, executive chairman of The Standard, said: “While we will be sad to see James leave, I would like to thank him for his endless energy, passion and the commercial leadership he has shown across the last two decades.
“On behalf of the whole company, we wish James all the best for the future and are excited to see what he does next.”
White added: “While I will miss the business, and more importantly the people within in it, I am incredibly proud of the continuous commercial innovation we have delivered. This was achieved with a brilliant and dedicated team who were able to ensure The Standard remained relevant and essential throughout rapid market change.
“As we approach our 200-year anniversary with an exciting new print and digital portfolio, The Standard is now well placed to thrive.”
He will remain with the business until the end of November.
