PA Media has appointed former Guardian and HuffPost UK editorial chief Polly Curtis as its new managing director.

The national news agency for the UK and Ireland, formerly known as the Press Assoation, has announced Polly’s appointment following the retirement of previous MD Tony Watson, a former Yorkshire Post editor, in April.

Polly, pictured, joins PA from “slow news” venture Tortoise Media, in which she was a partner.

She held senior editorial positions at The Guardian between 2001 and 2016, including deputy national editor digital editor, later serving as editor-in-chief at HuffPost UK from 2017 to 2018.

Polly said: “Being appointed managing director of PA Media at this moment is an enormous privilege.

“The PA newsroom produces world-class journalism and is the beating heart of an operation that has expanded into different markets and created new products and platforms in recent years.

“With so much disruption in the news and information industries lately, I am determined to ensure that PA Media continues to flourish, identifying new opportunities for it to support the news industry through its product range, as well as new markets that are thirsty for quality information and services.”

In her new role, Polly will also join the executive team of PA’s parent company, PA Media Group, working closely with the chief executive, chief financial officer and chief operating officer to further the group’s ongoing strategy to diversify its business.

She will report to chief executive Clive Marshall.

He said: “I am delighted to welcome Polly to PA Media group’s executive team.

“Her vision for the news agency and the wider group is shaped by strong experience of steering news brands through industry change and the digital transformation of journalism.

“That perspective will be invaluable to us as we continue to diversify the PA Media Group.”