Jonathan Fenby to resign as editor of Post after 'four momentous years'
Jonathan Fenby will resign as editor of the South China Morning Post in the second half of next month. Senior associate editor Robert Keatley will replace him.
Mr Fenby would continue to work with the newspaper as a contributor and as a consultant on corporate projects, in addition to pursuing his own writing and other ambitions, said South China Morning Post (Holdings) chief executive Owen Jonathan.
Mr Jonathan said: 'Jonathan Fenby has contributed greatly to enhancing the reputation and standing of the Post, both in Hong Kong and internationally during four momentous years in Hong Kong's history.
'His indomitable style, professionalism and energy will be long remembered.' Mr Fenby said: 'The last four years have been among the most enjoyable and challenging of my career.
'Editing the newspaper through the handover and the first two years of the SAR was a unique experience.
'I would like to express my gratitude to colleagues whose professionalism, skill and hard work have enabled me to do the job I came to Hong Kong to do.' Mr Fenby took the job in May 1995 after a career with Reuters, the Economist, the Independent, the Guardian and as the editor of the Observer in Britain.
Under his direction, the Post has increased its regional and global news coverage, with the addition of correspondents on the mainland, around Southeast Asia and in the United States.
The paper also increased its coverage of local politics and such leading issues as the environment.
Other changes during Mr Fenby's tenure have included the launching of some sections and the redesign of others, notably the Sunday Morning Post and, most recently, Business Post and Markets Post.
Mr Keatley joined the Post in October following a distinguished career at the Wall Street Journal, the leading business newspaper in the United States.
He held a variety of reporting and editing posts with the Journal, including tours as diplomatic correspondent in Washington, foreign editor in New York, editor of the Wall Street Journal Europe in Brussels and editor and publisher of the Asian Wall Street Journal in Hong Kong.
