THE Belfast Telegraph has appointed its fifth editor since the turn of the millennium.
Eoin Brannigan, who for the last three years has been editor of the Irish Daily Star, is taking over as editor-in-chief of the Tele and its sister paper the Sunday Life.
The papers are owned by Independent News & Media group in Dublin, a subsidiary of Belgian group Mediahuis.
He succeeds the paper's first-ever female editor Gail Walker, who in February was moved to the new role of editor-at-large after five years at the helm of the Tele.
Dublin-born Brannigan, who has a degree in Russian from Trinity College, has worked at the Star for 23 years, holding various roles including sports editor and later senior deputy editor before moving into the editor's chair in 2017.
He takes charge at a crucial time for the Belfast Telegraph, which this year celebrates its 150th anniversary and is also launching its online paywall next month.
Eoin said: “This is a huge honour for me. I had a fantastic time at The Irish Daily Star but am excited to be joining INM and to work with some of the best journalists in Northern Ireland.
“The Belfast Telegraph and Sunday Life have long traditions of outstanding journalism and I'm proud I will be part of the next exciting chapter both online and in print.”
Publisher at INM Peter Vandermeersch said: “I'm delighted Eoin has agreed to take on the role of editor-in-chief of our Belfast titles.
“He has all of the qualities and skills needed to drive the team forward in the context of our new digital propositions and integrated newsroom.”
The Tele and Life are part of INM Group, which also owns a 50 per cent interest in the Irish Daily Star as part of a joint venture with Reach plc.
At the turn of the millennium the Tele editor was Ed Curran, who was followed in 2005 by Martin Lindsay, then in 2009 by Mike Gilson and in 2015 by Gail Walker.
