Patience Wheatcroft (pictured) will be based in London and report to Robert Thomson, managing editor of The Wall Street Journal and editor-in-chief of Dow Jones & Company. From next month, she will oversee the transition to an integrated London newsroom, with the relocation of the Journal Europe’s editorial and online teams from Brussels.
“The time has come for the Journal to take on the European market, in print and online. We have a world-class reporting presence in Europe and an unrivalled international business news franchise,” said Mr. Thomson. “The combination of these assets and Patience’s extensive experience in media and business will make the Journal a formidable force in Europe.” Ms Wheatcroft added, “I’m thrilled to be joining the world's finest business newspaper, and to help lead the charge in Europe. I’m particularly excited about the additional strengths an integrated London newsroom will bring to what is already a phenomenal brand.”
The Journal launched a dedicated European web site earlier this year edited by Neil McIntosh, and is soon to announce a new management team for Europe under the leadership of publisher Andrew Langhoff.
“The appointment of Patience as our new editor for Europe is a sure sign of our long-term commitment to the European market, and a significant investment for future growth,” said Mr. Langhoff. “It marks a fresh new start in Europe as we work smarter to target new readers, develop additional attractive advertising opportunities, and create content that speaks directly to our audience,” he said.
Ms Wheatcroft was editor of the UK’s Sunday Telegraph between 2006-2007 and prior to that, was business and city editor of The Times for almost a decade. During her tenure, The Times attracted more business readers than any of its UK competitors*; a position it still holds. In 1987, Ms. Wheatcroft launched specialist retail publication Retail Week, and edited it for five years, while at the same time also launching a successful complementary conference business. From 1994-1997, she was deputy city editor of the Mail on Sunday.
In the past 18 months, her business experience has been enhanced by non-executive directorships at Barclays and property company Shaftesbury and last year she chaired the Mayor of London's Forensic Audit Panel.
Ms Wheatcroft received a Law degree from Birmingham University and an honorary doctorate from City University.
