Christian Broughton

Christian Broughton is the CEO of The Independent, the British news publisher that became the world's first major newspaper to go digital-only when it closed its print edition in 2016. He has led the organisation through a period of significant international growth, expanding its audience particularly in the United States and other English-speaking markets, while developing its digital subscription and advertising revenue model. Broughton joined The Independent as editor before transitioning into the CEO role, giving him a rare dual perspective across editorial and commercial operations. Under his leadership, The Independent has grown its global monthly readership substantially and invested in its US editorial presence, positioning the brand as a genuinely international digital news outlet competing for advertising and subscription revenue on a global scale. His tenure has been defined by navigating the challenges facing digital-native publishers — balancing advertising revenue with reader revenue, managing the shift toward first-party data strategies, and sustaining editorial investment in a competitive market. The Independent's advertising-supported model makes Broughton a notable figure in media and publishing circles.

Last updated Oct 17, 2026 by ATDb automated enrichment