Latest appointments strengthen the culture of innovation at Times Media

Over the past week or so, we’ve been delighted to announce a number of exciting new appointments at Times Media. These appointments follow on the announcement of Bongani Siqoko’s as the new editor of the flagship title, Sunday Times. Bongani started in his new position in January this year. Most recently, Financial Mail editor Tim Cohen has been appointed as editor of Business Day; Sibusiso Ngalwa has been appointed editor of the Daily Dispatch in East London; and Brett Horner as editor of the The Herald and Weekend Post in Port Elizabeth. As a result of Cohen’s move, Financial Mail deputy editor Rob Rose has been appointed editor of the magazine. Rose’s deputy will be Financial Mail Investment editor Sikonathi Mantshantsha.

These changes in leadership mark the start of a very exciting year for Times Media. We are in the process of reinvigorating all our products to ensure they are positioned for both a contemporary print and increasingly digital future. In this light, Times Media is also very excited to announce that as of 1 March, Andrew Trench, currently editor-in-chief of News24, will be joining Times Media as Digital Editor. CEO of Times Media, Andrew Bonamour said Trench was “an editor we have had our eye on for some time and is the most respected digital content leader in the country.” Trench follows a number of high profile digital appointments at Times Media as well. These include Lisa MacLeod as Head of Digital, Riaan Wolmarans as Head of Audience Development, Percy Goetsch as Head of Product, and Dan Calderwood as Head of Multimedia.

Calderwood has also recently been included in the #Kellman20 list of 20 Influential Millennials to Watch. Times Media has seen steady growth in web traffic on all of its news websites. In January 2016, TimesLIVE recorded 2.9-million unique browsers, 42% growth since January 2015. According to Effective Measure statistics, this makes TimesLIVE one of the fastest growing news websites in South Africa. Times Media is also redesigning its newsrooms and operating model to reflect the modern requirements of a progressive media organisation. This year will see the implementation of a new multi-platform content management system, which will support a digital-first approach to content. Furthermore, all these projects will culminate in Times Media’s move to brand new, fit for purpose offices in Parktown at the end of the year. This world-class space is already under construction. Times Media is set to enter 2017 in an even stronger position to advance the creation and delivery of dynamic, good quality products that inform and entertain our audiences… and continue to set the South African agenda.