PAUL Dacre is to step down as editor of the Daily Mail from November, after being appointed chairman and editor-in-chief of Associated Newspapers.
Dacre has been editor of the paper since 1992.
DMGT, the Daily Mail's owners, said in a statement: "DMGT, the consumer media and business information group, today announces that Paul Dacre has been appointed chairman and editor-in-chief of Associated Newspapers with effect from October 1 2018. After 28 years as an editor, Paul has decided to step back from day to day editorial responsibilities in November 2018.
"Paul's appointment is being announced now to facilitate handover to the new editor of the Daily Mail, who will be named in due course. Paul will also step down as a board director of DMGT prior to the end of the financial year."
Lord Rothermere, chairman of DMGT, said: "I would like to put on record my and DMGT's gratitude to Paul Dacre for his brilliant stewardship of the Mail and other titles within the Group over three decades.
"I am absolutely delighted that Paul has agreed to continue to stay on after his 70th birthday as chairman and editor-in-chief of Associated Newspapers in addition to advising me and taking on other broader responsibilities in the company at a time of profound upheaval in the media landscape."
In a statement, Mr Dacre said: "After 28 years as an editor 26 of them at the Mail – I have decided to step back from the responsibilities of day-to-day editing by my 70th birthday in November in order to take on broader challenges within the company as Chairman and Editor-in-Chief of Associated.
"I'm announcing this now in order to facilitate the handover to a new team.
"It is a joy to work for Lord Rothermere.
"He has given me two things that to an editor are worth more than all the riches of Araby: the freedom to edit without interference and the backing to assemble Fleet Street's greatest team of journalists.
"It's this team that's spearheaded the battle for freedom of expression against those who seek to impose statutory regulation of the press. This battle is on-going and I plan to continue playing as great a part in it as ever.
"In the meantime, my heartfelt gratitude to everyone – journalists, management, circulation reps and printers – who have made Associated one of the most successful newspaper groups in the world.
"It has been a privilege to work with you all and I look forward to continuing to do so in my new role in which I will endeavour to ensure that our company remains at the absolute forefront of a rapidly changing industry."
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