In a surprise announcement, the Editor-in-Chief of Business Insider, Nicholas Carlson, has announced his resignation from the company. Despite stepping down from his role as editor-in-chief, Carlson will continue to work with Business Insider as an editor-at-large, focusing on longer-term reporting and projects. The search for a new editor-in-chief is already underway, with CEO Barbara Peng leading the effort.
In an internal memo obtained by TheWrap, CEO Barbara Peng praised Carlson for his contributions to Business Insider, stating that he has had a significant impact on the company. She also confirmed that they will be looking for a new editor-in-chief in the coming weeks and months.
Carlson addressed the news in a meeting with staff, emphasizing that his decision to step down was not due to any criticism of the outlet’s journalism. He acknowledged the challenges of publishing fair but controversial stories that can upset powerful individuals, but expressed confidence in Business Insider’s future under its clear editorial strategy.
Axel Springer, Business Insider’s parent company, praised Carlson’s leadership and the direction of the newsroom under his tenure. They are proud of the outlet’s focus on in-depth reporting on business, tech, and innovation and are optimistic about the search for a new editor-in-chief under CEO Barbara Peng’s guidance.
The news of Carlson’s departure was first reported by Semafor and he will continue to work with Business Insider in his new role as editor at large. While he is leaving his editor in chief position, Carlson expressed gratitude for his time with the company and plans to make most of his remaining time working with team members who share similar interests in journalism and business insights.