Herman Grech has been appointed as Times of Malta’s new editor-in-chief as Malta’s biggest news organisation undergoes an editorial revamp.

With effect from June 17, he will assume editorial control of all media platforms and will also sit on Allied Group's management board, following approval by the company’s board of directors on Tuesday.

Bertrand Borg was appointed Times of Malta online editor, while Mark Wood will be responsible for the seven-day operation of the newspaper, replacing Ray Bugeja, who will be retiring.

Allied Newspapers Limited managing director Michel Rizzo said: “Herman, Bertrand and Mark have very strong roots in Times of Malta’s journalistic tradition and all are very passionate about quality news. I am delighted with the three appointments and I have no doubt they will do very well in their new roles. I have full confidence in their ability to handle these challenging times as we strive to take the much-respected Times of Malta brand further into the 21st century.”

We have the best integrated newsroom in Malta and the latest appointments will go a long way in making the team stronger- Michel Rizzo

He said the media industry, both locally and abroad, is at a pivotal stage and a bold approach is necessary for news outlets to thrive.

“We have the best integrated newsroom in Malta and the latest appointments will go a long way in making the team stronger. I would also like to take this opportunity to thank our outgoing print editor, Ray Bugeja, who has given his heart and soul to the Times of Malta. Ray will be sorely missed but will continue to serve the organisation in a part-time editorial advisory capacity.”

Who are the three editors?

Herman Grech joined Times of Malta in 1997, covering most of the major political and social milestones, including EU membership. He served as deputy editor of The Sunday Times (2007-2012), head of media (2012-2015) and online editor (2015-2018). Under his watch, the Times of Malta website has seen major growth in readership, especially in the 25-34 age segment.

Five-times winner of the national journalism award, Herman conceived and produces the debate programme #TimesTalk, was behind the Times of Malta public debates, and has regularly contributed to media giants like BBC World, Deutsche Welle, DPA and The Economist. He is also a theatre director and the author and producer of the critically-acclaimed play De-terminated.

Bertrand Borg joined the Times of Malta in 2010, working as a reporter and senior journalist before being appointed online deputy editor. In that role, he introduced analytics into the newsroom and has encouraged data-informed decision-making. He also worked at Melbourne’s The Age, where he filled a number of online positions and worked on its award-winning news app.

Prior to joining Times of Malta, Bertrand spent several years working as a human rights educator in Europe and sub-Saharan Africa. He graduated from the Mediterranean Academy of Diplomatic Studies.

Ray BugejaRay Bugeja

Mark Wood entered journalism in 1992 after graduating in social work administration from the University of Malta. He first worked as a reporter with The Malta Independent and then as night reporter with the Times of Malta.

Since 2003, he has occupied a number of senior editorial positions at Allied Newspapers Limited, including night editor and deputy editor of the Times of Malta, before taking over as editor of The Sunday Times of Malta three years ago. Mark is married and has one son.

Ray Bugeja will be retiring after 46 years in the business. He started his journalism career as a reporter in 1973 with Il-Ħajja, joining Times of Malta in 1980 before being appointed as one of the newspaper's youngest editors.

He joined Standard Publications in 1993 as editor of The Independent on Sunday before rejoining Times of Malta in 1998, and serving again as print editor from 2003.

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