"After almost 40 years in the news business, 28 of them with Sky, including 17 years at the helm of the company, I have decided, from next year, to stop and leave Sky News behind me,” wrote John Ryley, 60, in a letter published Sunday evening on the site of the channel, the most influential in the United Kingdom with the BBC.
"In 2021, I informed Sky that I wanted to continue to run the news department for up to two more years, believing that the spring of 2023... would be the ideal time to stop daily journalism and launch projects that are incompatible with running a news outlet," he added.
He took over as head of Sky News in 2006, serving as head of strategy, journalism, finance and company personnel, Linkedin said.
John Ryley began his career in 1987 at the BBC.
He then worked for the private channel ITN before joining Sky in 1995.
Being at the helm of Sky News "is one of the most exhilarating jobs in journalism", he wrote in his letter, acknowledging that he had also had "difficult days".
"Running a continuous news organization is hard work, in a sense that is both enjoyable and, at times, unenviable."
Sky News chief John Ryley in April 2012 in London © JUSTIN TALLIS / AFP/Archives
"We salute you John, and we wish you the best as you take some well-deserved time off," said Sky Group Chief Executive Dana Strong.
© 2022 AFP