The former deputy political editor replaces Benedict Brogan, who joins the Daily Telegraph to write a political column and blog.
Chapman will now edit the paper's political coverage, as well as attending daily lobby briefings in Downing Street and joining the Prime Minister on foreign trips, he told Journalism.co.uk.
Chapman started his career as a general news reporter for the Southern Daily Echo after completing his A-Levels. Though it was only meant to be a one-year break before university, he stayed for two years, completing a training scheme run by Southern Newspapers.
After university he joined the Daily Mail and has held various positions including news reporter and science and environment correspondent for the title. In 2003 Chapman joined the political team in Westminster and was promoted to his most recent position in 2005.
"Demonstrate an interest early on. I was doing work experience on my local newspaper at 15," advises Chapman to would-be journalists.
"They're [local newspapers] still the best place to cut your teeth as a journalist, in my view, and what's happening to the local newspaper industry in the recession is desperately worrying. But the explosion of political blogs and websites means there's more opportunity than ever for people to get involved in and writing about politics."
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