UK publisher Pearson said today the editor of its flagship Financial Timesnewspaper has stepped down due to "strategic differences" with the company.
Following the departure of Andrew Gowers, Pearson has named Lionel Barber, currently the FT's US managing editor, to replace Mr Gowers.
A spokeswoman for the paper declined to comment on the dispute that led to Mr Gowers' departure.
Mr Gowers (48) has been working for the newspaper since 1983 and was named as editor in 2001.
The FThas struggled through three years of losses due to the dearth of the financial and technology ads it depends on, though it is on track to break even in 2005, with advertising revenue up 6 per cent on the year.
It has focused on expansion in the United States, continental Europe and Asia amid steady declines in its UK circulation.
Pearson has faced repeated calls to sell the paper, but chief executive Marjorie Scardino has said it would only happen "over my dead body".