Andrew Dagnell named ITV’s Director of News and Current Affairs

ITV has today announced that Editor of ITV Network News, Andrew Dagnell, has been promoted to head up news and current affairs content across the whole of ITV, reporting to Kevin Lygo.

He succeeds long-standing Director of News and Current Affairs Michael Jermey, who will leave ITV at the end of the year.

Kevin Lygo, Managing Director of Media and Entertainment said:

“I am thrilled that Andrew has accepted the role, he was the stand out candidate - hugely impressive and held in high regard by all those who have worked with him.

It is great news for everyone in ITV that we have secured Andrew’s inspiring leadership to take our high quality and I believe, market-leading news and current affairs output, into the future.”

In early 2025, Andrew will join and take overall responsibility for ITV’s network news, regional news and current affairs output on both ITV1 and all ITV’s digital platforms. He will be responsible for leading and inspiring the senior News management team, and more than 800 colleagues who work across regional news.

Andrew Dagnell said:

“It is a huge privilege to be taking up this role. The teams behind News and Current Affairs at ITV are among the best in the world and it is an honour to be trusted to lead them. I can’t wait to work with colleagues across the UK as we maintain and build on ITV’s reputation as a trusted, impartial broadcaster.”  
Andrew leaves ITN after nine years in various roles, most recently as Editor of Network News, where he was responsible for all of ITV’s national news programmes, ITV News London, ITN-produced Tonight programmes, live specials and documentaries for ITV, as well as ITVX News and itv.com/news.

Prior to this he was Head of Newsgathering, responsible for journalists across the UK and in ITV News’ international bureaus, and ITV News was awarded a BAFTA as well as two consecutive RTS Programme of the Year awards during his tenure.

Andrew started at ITN as News Editor of ITV News London, before moving to be Home and Foreign News Editor at ITV Network News and then Head of ITV News’ specialist journalists.

Prior to joining ITV News, Andrew was an award-winning local and national newspaper journalist. Later he moved to ITV working as a Senior Producer on breakfast programmes Daybreak and Good Morning Britain.

Rachel Corp, CEO of ITN said:
"Having worked closely with Andrew for many years, I am delighted to see him appointed to the role of Director of News and Current Affairs at ITV. I know him to be an exceptional talent who is thoughtful and decisive, as well as a formidable journalist who understands the importance of public service broadcasting and creating impactful content that resonates with audiences. I have no doubt that under his leadership ITV News will continue to thrive and I look forward to continuing to work together in this new chapter."

ITN and ITV will soon begin the joint process to recruit the next Editor of ITV Network News.