Fairfax has lured back Brett Clegg installing him as chief executive of the Financial Review Group (FRG), less than a year after he jumped ship to News Limited.
Clegg defected to News Limited mid last year to be deputy editor (business) of The Australian. He was appointed to deputy chief executive of The Australian's commercial team in January after Nick Leeder resigned to become managing director of Google in Australia.
Clegg returns to the Fairfax fold after almost 10 years with The Australian Financial Review before his brief sojourn with News Limited. He has previously edited the Companies and Financial Services sections before becoming deputy managing editor.
Fairfax Media chief executive Greg Hywood said: "Brett has the important combination of significant editorial and commercial experience. He will be a superb leader of FRG.
"Brett is well known for his commitment to quality independent journalism, his very significant commercial nous and a deep understanding of the digital future."
Clegg replaces Michael Gill who leaves Fairax after 21 years. Hywood said of Gill: "Michael has led the AFR and the entire FRG business through some of the most significant and challenging years in the history of modern media. Michael's career as a journalist and publisher at Fairfax has been outstanding."
The Australian Financial Review editor Glenn Burge has also left his post, likely to take up another position within Fairfax. Hywood said: "I have asked Glenn to give consideration to working with me in an important role within the company. We look forward to harnessing his considerable skills, network in the business community and experience elsewhere in the company."
Roger Johnstone will be acting chief executive before Clegg's commencement.
Meanwhile, Fairfax has appointed Fairfax Digital chief operating officer Nic Cola to chief executive of Marketplaces, the group's digital transactions and classifieds advertising businesses.
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