One of journalism's nice guys, the Press Association's editor, Jonathan Grun, is to retire next year after 36 years with the agency.
He will become emeritus editor from the beginning of January, when his successor is expected to be appointed.
From then, until his official retirement in May 2015, Grun will be responsible for PA's coverage of the general election – the eighth he will have reported on.
Grun joined the news agency as a general reporter in 1979 and became its editor in 2000.
It "has been an immense privilege and enormous fun", says Grun. "At a time when there is a national debate about editorial standards the Press Association can be proud that its journalists are committed to the highest standards of robust, independent, ethical journalism."
Clive Marshall, the PA group chief executive, spoke of Grun's "immeasurable contribution to the agency's coverage of stories that have dominated both the UK and global news agenda."
Grun was twice been president of the Society of Editors. Its executive director, Bob Satchwell, said Grun had been "a rock for the media in the UK" with a "quiet, self-effacing style." He had been "a steady hand on the tiller... especially during the tumultuous year of 2012/13."
The recruitment process for Grun's successor is due to start shortly.
Sources: PA, of course/Society of Editors
