'FT' Editor Goes to London's 'Times'

By: Joe Strupp The Times of London has appointed Gerard Baker, associate editor of the Financial Times, as U.S. editor and assistant editor, according to a notice released today.

Baker, who is the Financial Times' top U.S. commentator, will remain based in Washington, D.C., for the London paper and will be a regular columnist and commentator on U.S. and global political trends, as well as leading the U.S. election coverage for the Times, editors said.

"Gerard Baker is one of the finest journalists of our generation," said Robert Thomson, editor of the Times. "His knowledge and analysis of the American political area is unrivaled, both in the U.S. and in the U.K., and I am delighted that he is joining us."

Baker's response to the hiring: "I am delighted to be joining the Times' outstanding team of journalists and I am looking forward to helping make the paper's coverage of America the liveliest and most comprehensive of all U.K. newspapers."