New chief for Al Jazeera English

Giles Trendle

Al Jazeera has named Giles Trendle as acting managing director of its English-language channel, following the departure of Al Anstey to take over at Al Jazeera America. 

Trendle was previously responsible for commissioning and acquiring a number of high-profile programmes for Al Jazeera English, including the Witness documentary strand. Prior to joining Al Jazeera, he was an independent documentary-maker and journalist specialising in the Middle East.

“I am honoured to be asked to step up to the role of acting managing director.  I am committed to ensuring Al Jazeera English continues to be a news and current affairs channel that offers great journalism, original story telling, and uncovers human stories that need to be told. We have established ourselves as one of the most reputable and most watched news and current affairs outlets in the world. I’m determined that we do everything necessary to continue to be recognised as the very best at what we do, catering for our audiences no matter if they are using television, mobile, or social platforms,” said Trendle.

“Giles is an experienced journalist and has a strong track record of managing, directing and producing documentaries. He has multicultural understanding, versatility, and in his many years at Al Jazeera, he has placed emphasis on a relationship-building approach. Al Jazeera English will continue the upward trajectory it has been on in recent years and Giles’s leadership and experience will be essential for the continuing future success of the channel,” said Mostefa Souag, acting director general of Al Jazeera Media Network.