James Chessell leaves AFR to join Joe Aston’s Rampart

James Chessell has resigned as editor-in-chief of The Australian Financial Review to take the same role at Rampart, the business publication founded by former AFR columnist Joe Aston.

The AFR’s editor, Cosima Marriner, will succeed Chessell on 12 October. She will be the first woman to hold the masthead’s top editorial role.

Chessell will oversee Rampart’s editorial operation, write a column and co-host a podcast with Aston. Rampart said last month it had raised $2.3 million and hired several full-time journalists.

Chessell became the AFR’s editor-in-chief in 2024. He previously served as Nine’s managing director of publishing and held senior editorial roles at The Sydney Morning Herald and The Age. He and Aston have worked together at the AFR and in the office of former Liberal minister Joe Hockey.

Nine, which owns the AFR, has an existing commercial arrangement with Rampart. Under the agreement announced when Rampart launched, Nine provides legal services in return for a share of revenue. Aston also writes a monthly AFR column. No change to those arrangements has been announced.

 

 

 

 

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Marriner to lead the AFR

Marriner has been the AFR’s editor since 2024, after joining as managing editor in 2022. Her previous roles include deputy editor of The Sydney Morning Herald and editor of The Sun-Herald.

Marriner said the AFR had broadened its coverage in recent years while retaining its focus on business, finance and politics. She said she intended to build on its record of breaking news and reporting on issues affecting decision-makers.