WASHINGTON

Will Lewis, the CEO and publisher of the Washington Post, resigned Saturday, days after the newspaper laid off hundreds of staff.

Lewis announced his departure in a memo to staff, saying it was "the right time" to step down.

“During my tenure, difficult decisions have been taken in order to ensure the sustainable future of The Post so it can for many years ahead publish high-quality nonpartisan news to millions of customers each day,” Lewis wrote.

The British media executive thanked Jeff Bezos, the CEO of Amazon and owner of the Washington Post. “I want to thank Jeff Bezos for his support and leadership throughout my tenure as CEO and Publisher. The institution could not have a better owner,” he said.

Lewis was hired by Bezos in 2023 and had backed the billionaire's controversial changes at the storied newspaper.

On Wednesday, The Washington Post cut one-third of its workforce, shutting down its sports section, multiple international offices and its books coverage.

*Writing by Seda Sevencan from Istanbul