ITV News announces two new 'specialist editors'

ITV News has announced that two of its journalists have been made specialist editors with immediate effect to take a lead on coverage relating to Europe and social affairs and "extend the portfolio" of the news outlet.

According to a release, James Mates, previously a senior correspondent at ITV, was named as the new Europe editor while Penny Marshall, special correspondent for ITV News at Ten, has been appointed social affairs editor.

In his new position Mates will be required to "enhance the audience's understanding of the European Union, its future and what it means for the UK", the release adds, while Marshall will "lead ITV News' in-depth reporting and analysis of immediate issues affecting the lives of the British public, from education to welfare and public services".

"Both Penny Marshall and James Mates are first class correspondents with a proven track record in delivering world class coverage," editor of ITV News, Deborah Turness, said in the release.

"Having James to guide us through the twists and turns in the unpredictable drama that is the Eurozone crisis will add strength and depth to our programmes.

"Penny Marshall is an outstanding journalist and we are thrilled that she will bring her expertise and experience to a new social affairs brief to help us tell the story of life in Britain today."

The latest appointments follow two last year, of Laura Kuenssberg as business editor and Richard Edgar to the role of economics editor.

It was announced in June 2011 that Kuenssberg would be leaving her post at BBC as chief political correspondent for ITV.

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