John Stackhouse replaced as editor-in-chief of Globe and Mail by David Walmsley
Stackhouse is the latest in a string of management departures at The Globe and Mail. He will be replaced by David Walmsley, current CBC director of news content, who will return to the Globe on March 24.
By Tamara Baluja, Associate Editor
John Stackhouse has been replaced as editor-in-chief of The Globe and Mail.
He will hand over the reins to Walmsley, current CBC director of news content, on March 24.
There was no reason provided for Stackhouse’s departure from the Globe in the memo issued by publisher Phillip Crawley. However, the announcement, which came as unexpected surprise to many Globe employees, follows a string of management departures at The Globe and Mail, including managing editor Elena Cherney and Report on Business editor Derek DeCloet.
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“I wanted to take this chance to thank everyone for making the Globe such a special place to work, learn and grow, where journalism still thrives, and for supporting, guiding and inspiring me as editor over the past five years,” Stackhouse said in a note sent to staff. “David is superbly qualified to lead the Globe from here, all the more so with a clean break that will allow everyone to move by leaps and bounds.” The outgoing editor-in-chief—who has been in the job since 2009—did not, however, say what’s next for him.
This is the fourth time under Crawley’s tenure as publisher that an editor-in-chief has been replaced. Prior to Stackhouse's departure, Crawley oversaw the departures of William Thorsell, Ed Greenspon and Richard Addis.
In another memo, Crawley credited Stackhouse for successfully leading the Globe through a newspaper redesign in 2010 and a transition to a metered paywall for the website. Stackhouse has held many positions at the newspaper, including Report On Business editor, and he has won five National Newspaper Awards. He also oversaw the departure of several employees during a large buyout last year.
Walmsley is returning to the Globe after 20 months as director of news content at CBC. He joined the Globe in 2006 and was previously the national editor and the managing editor at the Globe.
“David is known for his passion for journalism, his open style of leadership, and his ability to adapt to a fast-changing news environment,” Crawley said in the memo. “He will provide a new perspective, as we evolve our business.”
Jonathan Whitten, executive director of news content at CBC, will take over Walmsley’s duties on an interim basis.
J-Source was not immediately able to reach to Walmsley and Stackhouse, and was told Crawley would not be giving interviews regarding the change in editor-in-chief.
Correction: An earlier version of this article incorrectly said Crawley oversaw the departure of three editor-in-chiefs. The correct figure is four.
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Tamara Baluja is an award-winning journalist with CBC Vancouver and the 2018 Michener-Deacon fellow for journalism education. She was the associate editor for J-Source from 2013-2014.