Reuters executive Simon Robinson expected to replace Justin Stevens as ABC news director

Exclusive: Robinson, who has been at Reuters for 16 years, will be responsible for about 2,000 staff across the ABC’s news division

A top news executive from Reuters , Simon Robinson, is expected to be appointed as news director of the ABC in coming days, Guardian Australia can reveal.

He will be the external replacement for Justin Stevens who resigned on Wednesday after four years in the role, citing personal and professional reasons.

Stevens’ resignation was effective immediately.

‌The ABC managing director, Hugh Marks, appeared before senate estimates on Thursday and was asked why he Stevens had resigned.

He said Stevens, who had responsibility for 2000 journalists across the country, felt it was time to move on and the ABC was looking to refresh the organisation’s output.

“Stevens felt, you know, it was the right time for him to move on and pursue other careers, and I think it’s an opportunity, obviously, for the ABC to enter into a new phase of operations, where we look to, you know, refresh and rejuvenate our output for what might be, you know, the next 20 years to make sure that we’re future fit for the fit for the future,” Marks told senate estimates.

On Wednesday Marks said Stevens had made an “incredible commitment” to the ABC over 19 years, including ensuring ABC News was the No 1 digital news provider.

“I am grateful to have seen the strength of Justin’s editorial instincts and to have observed his commitment to the ABC and audiences,” Marks said. “I wish him every success in the future.”

Robinson began his career at Time Inc in Sydney as a fact checker on Who Weekly and went overseas where he forged a career with Time as a correspondent, bureau chief and editor.

He has been at Reuters for 16 years and is currently deputy to the editor in chief of the 2,600 strong newsroom.

Two sources with knowledge of the appointment told Guardian Australia Robinson had been at Ultimo recently and chair Kim Williams was a big fan.

Robinson says in his biography on LinkedIn that he helps shape Reuters’ editorial vision: “I can reshape a news story or transform an organisation alike. I have been a correspondent, news editor, and investigative editor. I have years of experience as a newsroom leader and working on strategy. As the Deputy to Reuters Editor-in-Chief, I help manage a newsroom of 2,600 professionals and spearhead our digital and publishing initiatives which help shape news seen by billions of people around the world every day.”

In a farewell email to staff on Wednesday, Stevens said: “There is no more complex news organisation in the country, no more scrutinised institution, and few so laden with public expectations.

“In that context, I have sought to strengthen and defend our journalism without being blind to our stumbles; to meet the state of constant change in the digital age; and to improve our culture in News to one where we hold ourselves to the same standards as we do of others in the broader community.”