AC
An announcement in the last hour that BBC Economics Editor Stephanie Flanders is to leave the corporation to join JP Morgan as chief market strategist. She leaves her BBC News post with immediate effect, but will remain presenting Radio 4's Start the Week until she starts her new job in November.
More details on Media Guardian here: http://www.theguardian.com/media/2013/sep/26/bbc-economics-correspondent-jp-morgan-stephanie-flanders?CMP=twt_gu
More details on Media Guardian here: http://www.theguardian.com/media/2013/sep/26/bbc-economics-correspondent-jp-morgan-stephanie-flanders?CMP=twt_gu
HO
Other than Hugh Pym - who would surlely reconsider his position at the BBC if he were overlooked again - are there any likely frontrunners or interesting candidates for the job?
Economics
, as opposed to business, personal finance and politics, isn't a specialism many broadcast journalists seem to regularly cover on the BBC, let alone at the Flanders-Robinson-Peston level. Flanders and Pym seem to do most of the economics reporting across al platforms, whereas there's quite a number of business and political correspondents. Other than an outsider - maybe from old media (like Peston (?) and David Bond) - I wonder who would be considered. Might Paul Mason have been on the shortlist had he not left for Channel 4?
As for Flanders, I wish her luck. Though this reminds me of Laura Kuenssberg's departure - both were clearly being 'groomed' for more prominent positions.
As for Flanders, I wish her luck. Though this reminds me of Laura Kuenssberg's departure - both were clearly being 'groomed' for more prominent positions.
CA
Not a good comparison at all as Laura was well down the pecking order and unlikely to see much promotion, Flanders is in the top job of her field and leaving for an annual 7 figure salary at an investment bank.
Given that she didn't get the Today job, how can you say that? What is more prominent than that or her current position? Newsnight isn't or any other R4 slots.
Of course not. No way would they have appointed anyone so clearly ideological.
As for Flanders, I wish her luck. Though this reminds me of Laura Kuenssberg's departure -
both were clearly being 'groomed' for more prominent positions
.
Not a good comparison at all as Laura was well down the pecking order and unlikely to see much promotion, Flanders is in the top job of her field and leaving for an annual 7 figure salary at an investment bank.
both were clearly being 'groomed' for more prominent positions.
Given that she didn't get the Today job, how can you say that? What is more prominent than that or her current position? Newsnight isn't or any other R4 slots.
I wonder who would be considered. Might Paul Mason have been on the shortlist had he not left for Channel 4?
.
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Of course not. No way would they have appointed anyone so clearly ideological.
HO
Not a good comparison at all as Laura was well down the pecking order and unlikely to see much promotion, Flanders is in the top job of her field and leaving for an annual 7 figure salary at an investment bank.
Given that she didn't get the Today job, how can you say that? What is more prominent than that or her current position? Newsnight isn't or any other R4 slots.
Of course not. No way would they have appointed anyone so clearly ideological.
Laura had one of the highest-profile correspondent positions going which, let's not forget, was Huw Edwards' last position before becoming main presenter of the BBC News at Six; had been expected to become Newsnight's political editor (the job Martha Kearney had before moving to the highly respected World at One), made guest-host appearances on Newsnight just like Flanders; and was one of the candidates who would likely have been considered to replace Nick Robinson one day. Her departure to a rival broadcaster was hardly insignificant.
I also find your suggestion that the only position more senior than economics editor at the BBC is presenter of 'Today' nothing short of a joke, without being amusing. By your logic Marr, Wark and Paxman would be filling in for Flanders, not the other way around.
As for Flanders, I wish her luck. Though this reminds me of Laura Kuenssberg's departure -
both were clearly being 'groomed' for more prominent positions
.
Not a good comparison at all as Laura was well down the pecking order and unlikely to see much promotion, Flanders is in the top job of her field and leaving for an annual 7 figure salary at an investment bank.
both were clearly being 'groomed' for more prominent positions.
Given that she didn't get the Today job, how can you say that? What is more prominent than that or her current position? Newsnight isn't or any other R4 slots.
I wonder who would be considered. Might Paul Mason have been on the shortlist had he not left for Channel 4?
.
.
Of course not. No way would they have appointed anyone so clearly ideological.
Laura had one of the highest-profile correspondent positions going which, let's not forget, was Huw Edwards' last position before becoming main presenter of the BBC News at Six; had been expected to become Newsnight's political editor (the job Martha Kearney had before moving to the highly respected World at One), made guest-host appearances on Newsnight just like Flanders; and was one of the candidates who would likely have been considered to replace Nick Robinson one day. Her departure to a rival broadcaster was hardly insignificant.
I also find your suggestion that the only position more senior than economics editor at the BBC is presenter of 'Today' nothing short of a joke, without being amusing. By your logic Marr, Wark and Paxman would be filling in for Flanders, not the other way around.
HO
At the BBC, or JP Morgan? At the beeb she replaced Evan Davis when he joined Today (and shortly afterwards took maternity leave for five months, with Hugh Pym titled 'Economics Editor' during that time), and is currently one of the presenters covering Radio 4's 'Start the Week' while Andrew Marr eases back into work.
Was Flanders not meant to be a stand-in for someone who had taken sabbatical?
At the BBC, or JP Morgan? At the beeb she replaced Evan Davis when he joined Today (and shortly afterwards took maternity leave for five months, with Hugh Pym titled 'Economics Editor' during that time), and is currently one of the presenters covering Radio 4's 'Start the Week' while Andrew Marr eases back into work.
JW
Having the pleasure of a week of BBC News last week, interesting to note Fiona Bruce on the Six all week and Kate Silverton/Simon McCoy doing the One every day except one day, which has presented by Sophie Raworth.
I also have to say, I found some of the legacy pairings on the News Channel to be rather tiring! Like the sheen had worn off. Perhaps time for a slight reshuffle and a mix up?
Don't shoot me!
I also have to say, I found some of the legacy pairings on the News Channel to be rather tiring! Like the sheen had worn off. Perhaps time for a slight reshuffle and a mix up?
Don't shoot me!
NG
I also have to say, I found some of the legacy pairings on the News Channel to be rather tiring! Like the sheen had worn off. Perhaps time for a slight reshuffle and a mix up?
Swings and roundabouts - Matthew and Jane have worked together for such a long time (and obviously like working with each other and complement each other) that splitting them up for no good reason seems a bit perverse. Similarly Simon and Carrie.
I think you don't aim for shiny new car "sheen" on a news channel - as that will always wear off. Instead you want "long term reliability" - as that continues indefinitely.
noggin
Founding member
I also have to say, I found some of the legacy pairings on the News Channel to be rather tiring! Like the sheen had worn off. Perhaps time for a slight reshuffle and a mix up?
Swings and roundabouts - Matthew and Jane have worked together for such a long time (and obviously like working with each other and complement each other) that splitting them up for no good reason seems a bit perverse. Similarly Simon and Carrie.
I think you don't aim for shiny new car "sheen" on a news channel - as that will always wear off. Instead you want "long term reliability" - as that continues indefinitely.
JW
I don't disagree. But how to prevent things going stale?
Sheen was a stupid word to use. Apologies. But, you got my drift, I suppose.
Sheen was a stupid word to use. Apologies. But, you got my drift, I suppose.
WO
Someone will have to edit the Countdowns on the news channel as she features in a couple of them, sitting under the Gherkin.
Was Flanders not meant to be a stand-in for someone who had taken sabbatical?
Someone will have to edit the Countdowns on the news channel as she features in a couple of them, sitting under the Gherkin.
JW
The recently arrived Linda Yueh may well fit the bill? Although, her remit appears to be a bit more Asian thus far. Retaking Dharshini David from Sky News wouldn't be a wrong move either.
Hugh Pym does seem the most logical solution, however.
Other than Hugh Pym - who would surlely reconsider his position at the BBC if he were overlooked again - are there any likely frontrunners or interesting candidates for the job?
Economics
, as opposed to business, personal finance and politics, isn't a specialism many broadcast journalists seem to regularly cover on the BBC, let alone at the Flanders-Robinson-Peston level. Flanders and Pym seem to do most of the economics reporting across al platforms, whereas there's quite a number of business and political correspondents. Other than an outsider - maybe from old media (like Peston (?) and David Bond) - I wonder who would be considered. Might Paul Mason have been on the shortlist had he not left for Channel 4?
As for Flanders, I wish her luck. Though this reminds me of Laura Kuenssberg's departure - both were clearly being 'groomed' for more prominent positions.
As for Flanders, I wish her luck. Though this reminds me of Laura Kuenssberg's departure - both were clearly being 'groomed' for more prominent positions.
The recently arrived Linda Yueh may well fit the bill? Although, her remit appears to be a bit more Asian thus far. Retaking Dharshini David from Sky News wouldn't be a wrong move either.
Hugh Pym does seem the most logical solution, however.