News Corp. HR chief steps down

News Corporation
After four years on the job, Beryl Cook is leaving her position as News Corp.’s Chief Human Resources Officer. The resignation follows a summer and fall of turmoil at the company that closed its tabloid and saw high-level departures as a result of that tabloid’s practices and other questionable behavior at the Wall Street Journal Europe. Cook moved into the newly-created position in 2007 after three years at BSkyB, the satellite and communications company News Corp. co-owns and had hoped to acquire before News of the World ethical breaches forced the company to table its plans. Cook, who worked for the company in Asia as well, will return there “to be closer to her family,” the press release says. Cook has been with News Corp. for 22 years. Cook’s replacement in HR is Jeff Mook, who has been with the company about a year and a half.