The Economist Appoints Its First Female Editor-In-Chief Ever

The Economist has appointed its first female editor-in-chief in the publication's 171-year-history, promoting business affairs editor Zanny Minton Beddoes to the weekly's lead role.

Per a release from parent company The Economist Group, Beddoes will take the reigns from current editor John Micklethwait, who held the post for nine years, on Feb. 2. Prior to joining The Economist in 1994, Beddoes worked for two years at the International Monetary Fund as an economist.

“I am delighted to be given the opportunity to edit The Economist," Beddoes said in a statement. "It is one of journalism’s great institutions, with an extraordinarily talented staff.”

The Telegraph reports Beddoes was one of three names rumored to have been on the board's shortlist, along with digital editor Tom Standage and foreign editor Ed Carr.

She'll be the 17th editor of The Economist, which has been edited in London since 1843.