The Economist Group has appointed Suprio Guha Thakurta to the newly-created position of chief strategy officer, as the publisher looks to “accelerate” its digital plans.

Thakurta, previously managing director for circulation in Asia Pacific and India, will report to The Economist Group chief executive Chris Stibbs.

According to a statement by the publisher, Thakurta will work closely with The Economist’s editorial, marketing, sales, technology and product development teams to devise new digital products.

It comes as it is announced that The Economist editor John Micklethwait is leaving to join Bloomberg as editor-in-chief, replacing Matthew Winkler. Micklethwait, who takes up the new post in January, has edited the title since 2006.

“To help us harness the capabilities that exist within the digital group and take full advantage of the opportunity, [Thakurta] in his new position as chief strategy officer will not preside over grandiose strategies and endless speadsheets,” joked Stribbs.

“Instead, he will ensure The Economist Group accelerates its digital plans where it sees most opportunity in the market and that we always matches our world-class content with world-class plans to promote and market our new digital products and services around the globe.”

Last month, he 171 year-old weekly current affairs title launches a new app called The Economist Espresso.

The app, costing £2.49 ($3.99) a month, aims to offer subscribers the “global agenda” for the day. It comes in three editions aimed at the American, European and Asian markets.