Alexander Chancellor takes over editor's chair at The Oldie

Alexander Chancellor (photo), a Reuters correspondent and editor long ago, has taken over as editor of The Oldie magazine following the resignation of its founder, former Private Eye editor Richard Ingrams.

Chancellor, 74, economic affairs editor when he left Reuters in 1974, was an early investor in The Oldie which he helped to start as a magazine for seniors in the summer of 1991. He also served on the magazine's board from its launch. He edited The Spectator from 1975 to 1984 and launched two newspaper magazines at The Independent and Sunday Telegraph. He has previously been a Guardian columnist and also edited the Talk of the Town section in The New Yorker from 1992 to 1993.

He grew up with Reuters. His father was Sir Christopher Chancellor, Reuters general manager who resigned in 1959 aged 55 and died in 1989.

"I am lucky to inherit from Richard a successful and established magazine, and I will do my best to retain the unique spirit and character that he brought to The Oldie,” Chancellor said in a press release announcing his appointment. "He made it a haven for all who are fearful and uncomprehending of the all-pervasive 'yoof' culture of today, and so I intend it to remain."

James Pembroke, the magazine's publisher, sees Chancellor as "the most natural successor" to Ingrams, The Guardian reported. He said: "Alexander is very young at heart - he's 74 going on 73. He's also very modern in his outlook - he uses email and has a mobile phone."

Pembroke was generous in his praise of Ingrams, saying "Richard has always been a massive inspiration, and I am very grateful for all he has done for me.

"I have always thought he is the greatest post-war editor, and can claim to have had the greatest impact on journalism in the last 50 years.

"The Oldie was a brainwave, and demonstrated his extraordinary ability to excel in the arenas of both investigative journalism and general features."

Ingrams resigned two weeks ago because Pembroke called him to a disciplinary meeting. Ingrams, who is 76, protested that he was too old for such things. ■