Associated Press names new president and CEO Daisy Veerasingham

The Associated Press has named Daisy Veerasingham as their 14th president and CEO in the company’s 175-year history. 

In a news release published Tuesday, the news wire said Veerasingham, the executive vice president and chief operating officer, is set to replace retiring president and CEO Gary Pruitt in January 2022.

During her 17 years with the AP, Veerasingham served as the sales director for the AP Television News in London and the senior vice president for international revenue, being appointed to her current role in February. 

Veerasingham, 51, who is a first-generation British national of Sri Lankan descent, will be the first woman, first international citizen and first person of color to lead the organization.

Daisy Veerasingham named president and CEO of The Associated Press: https://t.co/s0K0Q2bOKT pic.twitter.com/HInrIVIc0B

— AP CorpComm (@AP_CorpComm) August 3, 2021

“In Daisy Veerasingham we have chosen a proven leader with a deep understanding of how AP operates and a clear vision for the future,” said Steven R. Swartz, the chairman of the AP board of directors and the president and CEO of Hearst. “She appreciates the crucial role AP plays in providing journalism and services that are indispensable to the news industry.”  

“The importance of AP as an unbiased, factual news source cannot be overstated – our journalism reaches more than half the world’s population every day,” Veerasingham said in the news release. “I am thrilled to take the helm of this deeply respected news organization and work with colleagues who do extraordinary work every day in support of our mission. Gary has been a true champion of mine along the way, and I sincerely appreciate his support.”