Daily Telegraph editor Paul Whittaker has been named as the new editor-in-chief of News Corp’s national broadsheet The Australian with longstanding boss Chris Mitchell confirming his retirement.

The move sees Courier-Mail editor Chris Dore move to Sydney to replace Whittaker, nicknamed ‘Boris’, with the moves set to come into effect on December 11 when Mitchell officially retires.

Mitchell has been in the top job at the last remaining national broadsheet newspaper since 2002, while Whittaker had a stint as editor of the paper between 2007-2011.

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In a statement accepting the role Whittaker praised the work of Mitchell, and said added: “The Australian plays a vital role in the nation’s daily life and public debate. It rises above parochial self-interest, and speaks for and to the whole country; from the largest city to the most remote outpost. Its journalists are some of the most experienced and accomplished in the country.”

Last month Mitchell told Mumbrella he was close to retiring with the newspaper closer to being profitable again, after making substantial losses since the 2008 global financial crisis.

According to a report in The Australian he is set to write a weekly column, and received a note from News Corp co-chairman Rupert Murdoch reading: “Thanks to your leadership, The Australian has never been better than it is now, and today it is the embodiment of the hopes and ideals we had for the paper when we launched 51 years ago.”

In the official News Corp announcement a joint statement from new CEO Peter Tonagh and new chairman Michael Miller said: “Paul’s credentials as editor-in-chief are exemplary and his leadership will affirm The Australian’s place as the nation’s most significant newspaper.

“His previous experience on The Australian as editor, deputy editor and national chief of staff will ensure the paper maintains the momentum and journalistic excellence driven by Chris Mitchell.”

More to come.