Rebekah Brooks confirmed as News UK CEO

News UK, publisher of The Times, The Sunday Times and The Sun, has appointed Rebekah Brooks as CEO, 12 months after she was cleared by a jury of all charges related to the phone hacking scandal.

Brooks, who resigned from the publisher in 2011 – taking a £16m settlement with her – will replace Mike Darcey who leaves after three years in the role.

News UK also announced that the current Sun editor, David Dinsmore, will become News UK’s chief operating officer, whilst Tony Gallagher – currently deputy editor of the Daily Mail – has been appointed as editor-in-chief of The Sun.

“I am delighted to return to News UK,” said Brooks in a statement on Wednesday. “It is a privilege to be back amongst the most talented journalists and executives in the business.

“I am confident that we can meet the many challenges of this digital age with a combination of cutting edge technologies and world class journalism. I am especially pleased to be working for Robert and thrilled to have Tony and David on board my team.”

David Dinsmore became editor of The Sun in June, 2013, following stints working as managing editor and helping launch The Sun on Sunday.

Tony Gallagher has been deputy editor of the Daily Mail since 2014, after serving as editor of the Daily Telegraph since 2009. He joined the Daily Telegraph in 2006 after serving as head of news at the Daily Mail beforehand.

The changes will take effect on Monday 7 September for Brooks and in the coming weeks for Dinsmore and Gallagher.