Guardian News and Media has appointed five new cross-platform heads, as part of the publisher's push towards an integrated newsroom.

Nick Hopkins, former Guardian home editor, has been named head of national news ahead of the company's move to its new integrated premises in King's Cross later this year.

Harriet Sherwood, who was foreign editor of the Guardian, has been promoted to head of international news, while sports editor Ben Clissitt becomes head of sport.

Also changing jobs are Deborah Hargreaves, who is appointed head of business from her role as business editor, and new head of consumer Jill Insley, who was previously Observer personal finance editor.

The new heads will oversee editorial operations across the Guardian, The Observer and Guardian.co.uk for their areas, but separate section editors will be retained for each title, a press release said.

“These appointments are a crucial step towards delivering our vision of the future, providing news 24/7 while maintaining the distinctiveness of the Guardian and Observer,” said Alan Rusbridger, editor of the Guardian and editor-in-chief of Guardian News and Media, in the release.

"All five new heads have played a central role in helping design the new structures, along with their colleagues. They all have the unanimous support of the three platform editors."

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