Rebecca Nicholson is to become editor-in-chief of Vice UK in an appointment which sees several women appointed to key roles at the digital content group.
Nicholson, live features editor at the Guardian, is to leave the newspaper group after four years. She is the second of two Guardian staff members appointed by Vice on the same day with Jenny Stevens, commissioning editor for culture, named Vice UK’s managing editor.
In addition to these new hires, Jamie Clifton is promoted to deputy editor of Vice.com.
The two new arrivals from the Guardian come as Elektra Kotsoni is promoted to European editorial director and follows the appointment earlier this year of Ellis Jones as the first female editor-in-chief of Vice magazine in its 20-year history.
In June, Vice announced plans for a female-focused channel, Broadly, which spans politics, culture, sex and fashion. It will be one of the sites reporting to Nicholson, who will oversee all UK editorial output across Vice.com.
Nicholson, who is expected to start in November, will report to Alex Miller, who was promoted to global head of content from editor of Vice UK earlier this year. In a statement, he said: “In a world where the left and right wing of British media are converging in a puddle of clickbait, Vice UK needs more than ever to maintain its originality and its voice. Rebecca is the person to help us do that.”
Nicholson said: “After learning a huge amount during my time at the Guardian, I’m incredibly excited to be joining Vice UK and getting involved with its unique and frank approach to such a variety of stories. Vice UK has changed a lot over the last few years and I can’t wait to work with its outstanding team of young journalists on shaping the next incarnation. With more original reporting, a louder voice in British media and a focus on bringing even more diversity to its broad range of writers, we’ll ensure that the sharpest, biggest, and best stories are being told as only Vice can tell them.”
Founded in Montreal in 1994, Vice expanded into digital video in 2006, going on to launch new channels such as technology site Motherboard, music service Noisey and The Creators Project.
