John Ryley has announced that he will be leaving his role as head of Sky News early next year.
In a letter to staff, Ryley said that he had decided some time ago to leave in 2023 as it will mark three years since the untimely death of his wife Harriet.
The exec has been with Sky News for the last 28 years, serving in the top role for the last 17, overseeing coverage of major events such as the Paris Attacks, Brexit, the Trump Presidency, the global financial crash of 2008, the Manchester bombing, the invasion of Ukraine and the death of The Queen.
"In the coming weeks, a new Head of Sky News will be appointed who will go on to shape the future history of the organisation," he told colleagues.
"I hope my successor believes in the value of eye-witness journalism putting our camera operators and journalists at the heart of the news and remembers Sky News - at its best - is a challenger brand, and that it's not the cleverest or biggest news organisation that succeeds but the one most adaptable to change.
"Sky News will change once again with a new leader as it did back in 2006 when I took over from the formidable Nick Pollard. Renewal is vital for longevity. A new leader, coupled with your talents, will make change a force for good.
"Thank you all from my head and heart for making Sky News journalism so successful, authoritative, and trusted."
Sky News currently ranks as the second most-watched news channel in the UK, behind only BBC News.
Neil Wilkes
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