Simon Kelner (born 1957, Heywood, Lancashire) is a British journalist and newspaper editor. Kelner was editor-in-chief of The Independent and Independent on Sunday newspapers. He was appointed in May 1998 to succeed Andrew Marr and Rosie Boycott and ended his tenure in 2008.
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Early life
He attended the highly successful Bury Grammar School on Tenterden Street in Bury. He qualified in journalism at the former Preston Polytechnic, now the University of Central Lancashire.[1] He has an Honorary Fellowship from the University of Central Lancashire.
Career
He started at the Neath Guardian in 1976, staying there until 1979. From 1980-3, he worked as a sports reporter at the Kent Evening Post. He joined The Observer in 1983 as assistant sports editor, then The Independent as deputy sports editor in 1986, where he stayed until 1989.
Kelner won several awards whilst at The Independent, including Editor of the Year. His accolades followed his radical decision in September 2003 to relaunch The Independent in compact format, which proved to have an immediate and sustained uplift in sales, and which also acted as the catalyst for other broadsheet newspapers across the world shrinking in size. His success saw him become one of the longest-serving editors in the short history of The Independent. Kelner has also contributed to GQ magazine. In the April 2008 edition, Kelner talked food with Rob Brydon.
He is known as something of a raconteur and as an ebullient figure in the newspaper industry. He is mentioned several times in Piers Morgan's 2005 book The Insider.
Kelner's previous jobs include sports editor of the now defunct Sunday Correspondent, editor of The Observer magazine, and also the Mail on Sunday supplement Night and Day.
Personal life
He married the successful cartoonist Sally Ann Lasson in September 2001 in the borough of Kensington and Chelsea; they live in Marylebone. He married his first wife, Karen Bowden, in May 1988 in Islington; they have a daughter (born May 1989). His elder brother Martin Kelner is also a journalist, as well as an established radio presenter. He follows Swinton Rugby League Club and supports Manchester City.
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External links
| Media offices | ||
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| Preceded by Rosie Boycott and Andrew Marr |
Editor of The Independent 1998 - 2008 |
Succeeded by Roger Alton |
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