Fox News is making a significant change at the top of Fox Business Network.
Fox News morning programming and talent development chief Lauren Petterson has been named the new president of Fox Business Network, taking over for Brian Jones, who is departing the network for unspecified reasons.
Petterson steps into her new role today and will also continue overseeing talent development at Fox News. She will report directly to Fox News chief executive Suzanne Scott.
“Lauren has extraordinary skills in developing programming and working with talent and I am confident she will lead Fox Business to even further success,” Scott said in a statement.
Fox News now has a female chief executive officer, and the president of its news network is also a woman.
In her role as svp of morning programming and talent development, Petterson has overseen Fox & Friends franchise for the past 11 years.
In addition to overseeing both the weekday and weekend editions of cable news top-rated morning show, Petterson took on the additional talent development role three years ago and has been responsible for the hiring process of various new correspondents, anchors and contributors.
“I’m thrilled to take on this new, challenging role at a pivotal time in business news and look forward to working with such a dedicated and talented staff both on and off the air,” Petterson said in a statement.
Petterson began her initial stint at Fox News as the senior producer of Fox & Friends in 2007 and left for a position at WCBS-TV, CBS affiliate in New York, for one year. She returned to FNC as Fox & Friends executive producer in 2008. From that point on, she moved up the ranks to senior ep and later vp of morning programming.
Jones, on the other hand, has been with FBN since its launch in 2007. He led the network’s news and analysis coverage of the 2008 financial crisis, the historic equities market run, Brexit and the regulation of technology companies. Jones also helmed the first two Republican presidential primary debates in FBN’s history during the 2016 election season, both of which posted record ratings.
“Brian is a talented executive and a distinguished colleague who built Fox Business and accomplished a great deal during his 20 years of combined service at both FBN and FNC,” said Scott. “We wish him continued success as he embarks on his next chapter.”
