Andreas Whittam Smith, co-founder of the Independent, dies aged 88

The Guardian - World NewsEN 2 min read 100% complete by Jane ClintonNovember 30, 2025 at 09:49 PM

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Andreas Whittam Smith, co-founder and first editor of the Independent newspaper, died on November 29, 2025, at the age of 88. Born in Cheshire in 1937, Whittam Smith had a long career in financial journalism before launching the Independent in 1986 with Stephen Glover and Matthew Symonds. He served as editor until 1994. Later, he became president of the British Board of Film Classification in 1998. Whittam Smith also served as the first church estates commissioner for the Church of England from 2002 to 2017. He was awarded a CBE in 2023 and knighted in 2015 for his public service.

Key Entities & Roles

Key Player Opposition Context

Justin Welby 30% Valerie Whittam Smith 40% Benedict Whittam Smith 40% Mark Whittam Smith 40% Church of England ×350% British Board of Film Classification ×260% Independent ×580% Andreas Whittam Smith ×9100%

Keywords

andreas whittam smith 100% independent newspaper 90% journalism 70% editor 60% british board of film classification 60% financial journalism 50% church of england 50% film classification 40%

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