First on TVNewser: CNN’s chief business correspondent Ali Velshi is leaving the channel, TVNewser has learned.
CNN Worldwide president Jeff Zucker noted the change in a meeting with CNN staff today. Velshi’s last day will be Friday. Zucker said that CNN and Velshi were parting as friends, and that the channel was sorry to see him go.
“It’s been an amazing almost 12 years at CNN. Love it more today than I ever have, and CNN is going to be great under Jeff,” Velshi says. “I basically grew up here, so it’s sad to leave, but I’ve got a great opportunity to stretch some new muscles and grow something, and it appeals to my entrepreneurial side.”
Velshi joined CNN in 2001 as an anchor and reporter for the CNNfn financial news channel. He moved to CNN proper as a business correspondent and anchor in 2004 when CNNfn shut down. In addition to his correspondent duties, he also serves as the anchor of “CNN Your Money” and “World Business Today” on CNN International.
It isn’t clear where Velshi is going just yet, but Zucker said that Velshi is leaving to work on a new project that “he couldn’t pass up” according to an insider.