The Independent has appointed Thea Lenarduzzi as assistant features editor, commissioning across a wide range of topics on the features desk. Lenarduzzi, who was commissioning editor at the Times Literary Supplement, started the role on 5 October and works across The Independent and i.

She joins the existing team comprising features editor Rebecca Armstong, deputy features editor Tim Willis and associate features editor Louisa Saunders, all of whom work across the features sections on the titles.

Additionally, the Independent on Sunday has appointed Tom McTague as political editor, replacing Jane Merrick in the role. McTague joins from the MailOnline where he is deputy political editor. Merrick will continue to write columns and contribute to the title.

Political and business correspondent Mark Leftly has been promoted to deputy political editor.