A former Sky News boss has been awarded an OBE in the New Year's Honours List.

John Ryley, who stepped down as head of news at Sky News this month, was recognised for services to journalism. 

He said: “It was a surprise. A brown envelope dropped through the letterbox on to the doormat in Witney seven or eight weeks ago now.

“I’m particularly surprised because back in September I gave a speech about how the Royal family control coverage of their activities."

Mr Ryley was the editor-in-chief of Sky News from 2006 until 2023.

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Announcing his departure in spring 2023, he described running Sky News as "exhilarating" but added: "I can't pretend there haven't been tricksy days!"

His leadership oversaw what he said was "an ongoing saga of events and characters".

He said it included "historic tipping points".

He covered the 2008 financial crash, the Arab Spring, the death of Princess Diana, 9-11, the rise of Isis, the European migrant crisis, four UK General Elections in nine years, Brexit, the election of Donald Trump, the Covid pandemic, the murder of George Floyd, the Taliban's capture of Kabul, Russia's invasion of Ukraine, the death of Queen Elizabeth and political turmoil with three prime ministers in seven months.

Mr Ryley started his career as a BBC graduate trainee in the 1980s, then a programme editor of ITV’s News at Ten, before joining Sky News in 1997. 

In 2021, The Royal Television Society (RTS) gave him the Outstanding Contribution award for journalism.

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The judges said he had "effected genuine change in our industry."

They added: "His style is innovative, idiosyncratic. His integrity, influence and authority colossal".

He is a trustee of the NCTJ, and the chair of the Geddes Trust set up to promote excellence journalism among Oxford University students.

He was educated at Durham University and the Wharton School of Business in the United States. 

Mr Ryley said: “I think the award is recognition of the importance of independent news organisations like Sky News which are a beacon for hard, fact-based agendas in a world awash with disinformation, half-truth and rumour.”

Dana Strong, CEO of Sky Group, said Mr Ryley had taken Sky News' influence to "new levels" and kept it "vibrant".

She said: "His commitment to having teams on the ground has been a key differentiator, and his equal focus on keeping our people safe in challenging times has been outstanding.

"When John accepted the RTS award, he talked about his belief in, and lifetime commitment to 'accurate, original, impartial journalism', and that will be his lasting legacy."