ABC news boss Gaven Morris announces his surprise resignation from the broadcaster

The head of the ABC news has announced his surprise resignation and says he will leave as soon as his replacement is found.

Gaven Morris was appointed was appointed director of news, analysis and investigations in 2015 after starting with the ABC as a reporter in his early 20s. Picture: AAP Image/Bianca De Marchi

ABC news boss Gaven Morris has announced he will quit the national broadcaster after six years in the top job.

Morris was appointed director of news, analysis and investigations in 2015 after starting with the ABC as a reporter in his early 20s.

He said on Thursday evening it was time for someone else to have a go at leading the ABC’s news division.

“I’m a great believer that in leadership you occupy a role while you think you can contribute everything that you’ve got,” he told ABC Radio Melbourne.

“And after six years I’d sort of rolled out two strategies, I’ve hopefully led the organisation to a place where it’s able to be as relevant to the public as it possibly can.”

ABC Director of News, Analysis and Investigations Gaven Morris will leave the national broadcaster. Picture: AAP Image/Bianca De Marchi

Morris, 49. had announced his resignation in a surprise email to staff earlier on Thursday, saying he would leave the ABC as soon as his replacement was found.

He previously held senior roles with CNN, Al Jazeera English and Network 10 and worked at the ABC over three separate stints, eventually leading the broadcaster through some of its most challenging years.

In his time with the ABC, Morris steered the 2010 launch of the ABC News Channel and oversaw the digital news division’s rise to become the most read news website in Australia.

Gaven Morris has overseen the ABC’s diversity and inclusion strategies to make news content and services “more relevant to more Australians”.

He has also overseen the ABC’s diversity and inclusion strategies to make news content and services “more relevant to more Australians”.

Morris told staff the ABC had always been a pioneer but was now leading the Australian media industry with its creative and innovation across digital, audio and video platforms.

ABC managing director David Anderson said in an email to staff that Morris’ contribution to the ABC had been enormous.

“As the very best leaders do, he has always led by example, with a huge work ethic, absolute integrity, fearless independence and a lot of courage,” Anderson said.

The ABC is expected to begin the recruitment process for Morris’ replacement in the coming weeks.