Ian Birrell, the Independent's deputy editor for almost 12 years, is to leave.
Former Daily Mail executive Birrell, who is shortlisted for columnist of the year in the British Press Awards, said: "I have hugely enjoyed working with some of the most talented journalists in Britain, but now feel the time is right for a change."
Editor-in-chief Simon Kelner praised Birrell's "enormous contribution to the Independent's success over the years."
Independent News & Media is in the closing stages of negotiations to sell the Independent and Independent on Sunday to London Evening Standard owner Alexander Lebedev.
Source: The Independent
