Roger Alton, the former editor of the Independent and the Observer, is to join the Times as joint executive editor in July.

Alton, who left the Independent last month, will take over from Alex O’Connell who has taken on the role of arts editor.

Prior to joining the Independent, Alton edited the Observer for 10 years. He joined the Observer after 20 years at the Guardian as arts editor, Weekend editor, assistant editor and features editor.

[lnk|http://www.featuresexec.com/publications/info_outlet.php?pubid=191|_self|The Times]

[lnk|http://www.featuresexec.com/publications/info_outlet.php?pubid=306|_self|The Independent]