Sky News business presenter Ian King has quit his role of hosting his flagship show and will leave the company after ten years.
The channel recently moved Business Live with Ian King from its Square Mile address in central London and relocated to Sky’s West London-based Osterley headquarters.
The decision to relocate from Fleet Place was met with skepticism as concerns were raised over the new studio due to its distance from central London.
Following the move in September, Mr King has not appeared on the show for at least a month leading to speculation over his future.
It has since been confirmed that Mr King has stepped back from from presenting the show following recent discussions and will leave Sky News in the spring.
He will continue to contribute analysis and reporting to Sky’s digital platforms until his departure, David Rhodes, Sky News’ group executive chairman said.
Sky News business presenter Ian King has quit his role of hosting his flagship show and will leave the company after a ten year career
The channel recently moved Business Live with Ian King from its iconic Square Mile address in central London
The show relocated to Sky’s West London-based Osterley headquarters in September
In a letter sent to Sky News employees, Mr Rhodes wrote: ‘Ian has been with Sky for ten years, enriching our news report with his knowledge of finance and his network in the City of London.
‘We’re delighted that he will continue to be a resource on our digital estate at this time.
‘I met this morning with the Business team to discuss our continued commitment to ‘Business Live’, hosted in recent months principally by Paul Kelso and Darren McCaffrey from our main newsroom.
‘We’re increasing our investment in this area, for instance in the hit Money Blog, a consistent audience favourite.
‘I want to thank Ian for his commitment to Sky News; we’ll make sure to organise a deserved send-off next year.’
Sky’s decision to move the show from Fleet Place in Square Mile was described as ‘madness’ with worries it would not be able to provide the same insights while based in Osterley.
Prior to the show’s relocation, Neil Bennett, co-ceo of H/Advisors, told City AM: ‘Ian King’s business show is a precious resource for the City and British business because he attracts all the biggest names into his central studio.
‘They’re simply not going to travel to Osterley, so the business community will lose another important media voice.’
Another City communication advisor added: ‘One of the reasons Ian’s output is taken so seriously in the City is because he knows his patch so well. Moving the show out of the Square Mile would undermine that credibility.’
Mr King has not appeared on the show for at least a month leading to speculation over his future
It has since been confirmed that Mr King has stepped back from from presenting the show following recent discussions and will leave Sky News in the Spring
Sky’s Osterley HQ opened in August 2016 and houses studios for Sky Sports, Sky Sports News and Sky News.
Before moving to Fleet Place, Sky News’ business operations were based in The News Building, known as The Place or The Baby Shard, near London Bridge.
Business Live will continue to broadcast on weekdays at 11.30am and 4.30pm providing reports on the markets, share prices and the world economy, alongside business commentary.
Darren McCaffrey and Paul Kelso will continue as regular hosts of Business Live.
