James Slack has been appointed deputy editor-in-chief, The Sun, and will join the paper in the coming months. 

Reporting to Victoria Newton, editor-in-chief of The Sun, James will work across both the print and digital output of the paper, and will be integral to the further digital transformation of the newsroom.  

Victoria Newton, editor-in-chief of The Sun, said:

“James has an exceptional track record in journalism and wide ranging experiences, including leading a large team and all forms of digital publishing. He will bring his brilliant editing skills and news sense to The Sun, as well as a clear understanding of the institutions that support public life. The Sun’s broad readership cares deeply about Britain and James has a strong understanding of our audience.”

James Slack said:

“I’m deeply grateful to everyone I’ve worked with at No10, and to the two Prime Ministers who it has been such an honour to serve. In particular I want to thank the brilliant press team who I have had the privilege to lead over the past four years. Their resilience, creativity and good humour through some deeply challenging times for our country has been extraordinary, and I have learned an enormous amount.

“Journalism is in my blood and working in a senior role at what is the most popular newspaper in Britain is an ambition I have held all of my life. Such opportunities don’t come along very often and I can’t wait to start work with what I already know is a fantastic, agenda setting newsroom at The Sun. I’ve loved The Sun from afar for years and it’s great to finally be part of the team.”

Keith Poole left his role as deputy editor-in-chief of The Sun at the end of February to become editor-in-chief of the New York Post. 

------------

About The Sun

The Sun is the most popular newsbrand in the UK, blending serious investigations, agenda-setting campaigns, political scoops and celebrity gossip. The Sun and The Sun on Sunday have something to start a conversation on every page, whether in print or online.

The Sun Online has more than 35 million monthly unique visitors and the biggest brand reach of any national newspaper. 

From showbiz to sport and scoops to Sun Online, the title landed some of the top awards at the prestigious British Press Awards last year and has earned 15 nominations for this year's Society of Editors Awards, including the Driving Diversity Award. 

Since January, The Sun has signed up 50,000 readers to volunteer as part of The Sun's Jabs Army to help vaccinate the nation from coronavirus. In October 2020 the title launched its Green Team campaign to help readers reduce food waste, insulate their homes, create tasty planet-friendly meals and encourage them to sign up to seven pledges to drive a more sustainable future. 

*Online figures are taken from the latest Comscore (December 2020) and latest PAMCo report (Apr'19-Mar-20)

James Slack biography

James Slack is currently the Prime Minister’s Director of Communications. He joined Number 10 working for Theresa May’s government in 2017 as the Prime Minister’s Official Spokesperson, a role he continued in under Boris Johnson.  

Prior to his time at Number 10, Slack was at the Daily Mail where he held the roles Assistant Editor (Politics), Political Editor, Home Affairs Editor and Leader Writer. He started his career in journalism on local newspapers.