New Reuters CEO started work on Thursday

New Reuters chief executive officer Andrew Rashbass started in the London office on Thursday and sent out the following to the news wire’s staff:

I start today as chief executive of Reuters. It’s a privilege to be here. The independence, integrity and freedom from bias embodied by the Trust Principles combined with Reuters famous speed, accuracy and global coverage are powerful characteristics with which to develop our already successful business. I look forward to working with Steve Adler and all the team to do that.

The fifth Trust Principle is “that no effort shall be spared to expand, develop and adapt the news and other services and products so as to maintain its leading position in the international news and information business”. That’s an extraordinary aspiration. I know just how much effort you put in every day to make it a reality.

I hope to meet you all soon. Therefore, if you can, do come along to, or dial into, any of three meetings I’m holding over the next few days. (The locations and dial-in details are below.) I have far too much still to learn to be in a position to make any announcements but it will be a chance for me to hear from you; to share some of my early impressions about where we have opportunities; and to answer your questions. I hope to see or speak with you then.

If you can’t make any of the meetings and you want to contact me, my details are:

andrew.rashbass@thomsonreuters.com
+44 (0) 20 7542 3022
Best wishes,
Andrew

Rashbass has worked for The Economist for 15 years in a number of roles, including managing director of Economist.com and publisher of The Economist. He had been group chief executive since 2008 before resigning and becoming the CEO of the news and media group at Thomson Reuters.