David Mannion to step down from ITV News

ITV News editor-in-chief David Mannion is to step down from the news and current affairs broadcaster this summer, moving to a new strategic role at ITV News producer ITN.

In July, Mannion will stand down from ITV News after almost nine years of success at the broadcaster, including News at Ten being named 'Programme of the Year' by both the RTS and BAFTA in 2010.

Mannion will take on a newly-created role acting as special advisor to ITN chief executive John Hardie, influencing "strategy and policy at a corporate level".

In the new position, he will also advise on "future planning, new business opportunities and revenue growth outside of ITN's core contracts". His replacement as ITV News editor-in-chief has not yet been announced.

"This has been a huge decision for me but, after a decade in my current role, it feels the appropriate time for me to do other things," said Mannion.

"I am privileged to have worked at ITN with some of the greatest TV news professionals of our time and I am genuinely delighted to be taking on my new role working closely with my chief executive John Hardie."

Hardie added: "David is a force of nature whose impact is evident in every part of ITV News - from delivering world exclusives to building an incredibly talented team around him. He leaves ITV News on a real high, with News at Ten named 'Programme of the Year' by both the RTS and BAFTA - just the latest in a hatful of industry accolades and achievements.

"I look forward to working even more closely with David and utilising his experience in developing the commercial future for ITN. What we lose from the ITV newsroom, ITN gains corporately and strategically by harnessing David's knowledge and expertise."

Mannion joined ITN in 1979 and holds the unique position of editing ITV News, GMTV and two of ITV's flagship current affairs programmes, Tonight with Trevor McDonald and The Cook Report. He was also previously deputy editor of Channel 4 News.