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News Corp. Financial Officer to Retire After Company’s Split

David F. DeVoe, who has served as chief financial officer of News Corporation for more than two decades, will step down later this month, the company said on Thursday.

Mr. DeVoe, 66, joined News Corporation in 1983 and had been a strong behind-the-scenes presence in steering the media conglomerate through a period of growth, and more recently through the phone hacking scandal in Britain and the challenges in the print publishing business. He is among a handful of close confidants to Rupert Murdoch, News Corporation’s chairman and chief executive.

“I would like to express my profound gratitude to Dave for his enormous contributions to News Corp.,” Mr. Murdoch said in a statement. “He has played a pivotal role in building the company into a global leader.”

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David F. DeVoe, News Corporation’s chief financial officer, in 2009.Credit...Rick Wilking/Reuters

Among Mr. DeVoe’s lasting contributions was his strong advocacy for the company to split itself into two publicly traded companies. During a brief shareholder meeting in New York on Tuesday, investors voted to approve a separation.

“Dave DeVoe is not only one of the most talented C.F.O.’s I have ever dealt with, but also the ideal partner for Rupert,” said James B. Lee, vice chairman of JPMorgan Chase and a longtime adviser to Mr. Murdoch.

That split will take place on June 28, when entertainment assets like Fox News, FX and a Hollywood studio will form a new company called 21st Century Fox. Publishing units, including The Wall Street Journal, The New York Post and HarperCollins, and a handful of Australian television assets will form a company called News Corporation.

Mr. DeVoe will continue to serve on the board and as a senior adviser to 21st Century Fox. John Nallen, 56, will succeed Mr. DeVoe beginning July 1. Mr. Nallen has worked at News Corporation since 1995 and has served as deputy chief financial officer and executive vice president since 2001. Mr. Nallen will report to Chase Carey, who will serve as president and chief operating officer of 21st Century Fox.

“To work with Rupert as he built News Corporation into one of the most dynamic companies of all time was the opportunity of a lifetime,” Mr. DeVoe said in a statement.

Michael J. de la Merced contributed reporting.

A version of this article appears in print on  , Section B, Page 3 of the New York edition with the headline: News Corp. Financial Officer to Retire After Company’s Split. Order Reprints | Today’s Paper | Subscribe

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