WSJ names new Europe, Middle East and Africa editor

Wall Street Journal managing editor Gerard Baker sent out the following staff promotion on Wednesday:

I’m delighted to announce that Thorold Barker is appointed Editor, Europe, Middle East and Africa.

As we continue to build an integrated newsroom tasked to pursue our global ambitions, an expanded role in Europe ranks among our highest priorities.

Despite its continuing travails, Europe still looms large in the global economy and, given the size of our presence there, it represents a tremendous opportunity for us to refine and grow our peerless range of news products.

Thorold will lead this renewed drive, completing the integration of Newswires and the Journal and developing a significantly enhanced presence for us in the region – including the very important opportunities that lie in the Middle East and Africa.

Thorold is admirably equipped for the task. He has edited “Heard on the Street” since he joined the Journal in 2008 and has recreated the column as the premier place in the news business for insightful global commentary and analysis on economic, financial and corporate affairs.

Thorold started out as a strategy consultant for Bain & Co but fortunately for us, could not resist the lure of journalism and joined the Financial Times, first as a reporter and ultimately as U.S. editor of the FT’s Lex column.

Please join me in congratulating Thorold on his new role.