Mike Randall
Encyclopedia
Mike Randall was a British
newspaper editor.
Randall worked as a shipping clerk in Brazil
in his youth. He moved to the UK at the start of World War II
and took a job as a journalist at the Daily Sketch
. In 1941, he moved to the Sunday Graphic
, rising to become its editor in 1953. However, he soon left to become an assistant features editor with the Daily Mirror, and in 1956 moved to the News Chronicle
. This paper merged with the Daily Mail
, and Randall joined the Mail, becoming its editor in 1963.
Randall aimed to take the Mail upmarket, introducing more investigative journalism
and attract younger readers with a more liberal
position. However, the paper lost readers, and Randall was replaced as editor in 1966 while he was on sick leave. He joined the Sunday Times as Managing Editor (News), assisting Editor Harold Evans
and co-ordinating investigations. In 1969, Robert Maxwell
asked Randall to edit The Sun
if he was successful in purchasing it, but the deal did not go ahead, and Randall instead retired from the Sunday Times in 1979.
In semi-retirement, Randall worked as a fruit picker and on a mushroom farm, while involving himself in the launch of the Sunday Standard.
British people
The British are citizens of the United Kingdom, of the Isle of Man, any of the Channel Islands, or of any of the British overseas territories, and their descendants...
newspaper editor.
Randall worked as a shipping clerk in Brazil
Brazil
Brazil , officially the Federative Republic of Brazil , is the largest country in South America. It is the world's fifth largest country, both by geographical area and by population with over 192 million people...
in his youth. He moved to the UK at the start of World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
and took a job as a journalist at the Daily Sketch
Daily Sketch
The Daily Sketch was a British national tabloid newspaper, founded in Manchester in 1909 by Sir Edward Hulton.It was bought in 1920 by Lord Rothermere's Daily Mirror Newspapers but in 1925 Rothermere offloaded it to William and Gomer Berry The Daily Sketch was a British national tabloid newspaper,...
. In 1941, he moved to the Sunday Graphic
Sunday Graphic
The Sunday Graphic was an English tabloid newspaper published in Fleet Street.The newspaper was founded in 1915 as the Sunday Herald and was later renamed the Illustrated Sunday Herald. In 1927 it changed its name to the Sunday Graphic, becoming the sister paper of the Daily Graphic. In 1931 it...
, rising to become its editor in 1953. However, he soon left to become an assistant features editor with the Daily Mirror, and in 1956 moved to the News Chronicle
News Chronicle
The News Chronicle was a British daily newspaper. It ceased publication on 17 October 1960, being absorbed into the Daily Mail. Its offices were in Bouverie Street, off Fleet Street, London, EC4Y 8DP, England.-Daily Chronicle:...
. This paper merged with the Daily Mail
Daily Mail
The Daily Mail is a British daily middle-market tabloid newspaper owned by the Daily Mail and General Trust. First published in 1896 by Lord Northcliffe, it is the United Kingdom's second biggest-selling daily newspaper after The Sun. Its sister paper The Mail on Sunday was launched in 1982...
, and Randall joined the Mail, becoming its editor in 1963.
Randall aimed to take the Mail upmarket, introducing more investigative journalism
Investigative journalism
Investigative journalism is a form of journalism in which reporters deeply investigate a single topic of interest, often involving crime, political corruption, or corporate wrongdoing. An investigative journalist may spend months or years researching and preparing a report. Investigative journalism...
and attract younger readers with a more liberal
Liberalism
Liberalism is the belief in the importance of liberty and equal rights. Liberals espouse a wide array of views depending on their understanding of these principles, but generally, liberals support ideas such as constitutionalism, liberal democracy, free and fair elections, human rights,...
position. However, the paper lost readers, and Randall was replaced as editor in 1966 while he was on sick leave. He joined the Sunday Times as Managing Editor (News), assisting Editor Harold Evans
Harold Evans
Sir Harold Matthew Evans is a British-born journalist and writer who was editor of The Sunday Times from 1967 to 1981. He has written various books on history and journalism...
and co-ordinating investigations. In 1969, Robert Maxwell
Robert Maxwell
Ian Robert Maxwell MC was a Czechoslovakian-born British media proprietor and former Member of Parliament , who rose from poverty to build an extensive publishing empire...
asked Randall to edit The Sun
The Sun (newspaper)
The Sun is a daily national tabloid newspaper published in the United Kingdom and owned by News Corporation. Sister editions are published in Glasgow and Dublin...
if he was successful in purchasing it, but the deal did not go ahead, and Randall instead retired from the Sunday Times in 1979.
In semi-retirement, Randall worked as a fruit picker and on a mushroom farm, while involving himself in the launch of the Sunday Standard.