Journalist, columnist and corporate leader Md Shakawath Hossain has assumed charge as the editor of the daily Amader Shomoy, succeeding Abu Sayeed Khan.

Hossain formally took over the responsibilities on Sunday at the newspaper's office in Tejgaon Industrial Area in Dhaka.

Publisher of Amader Shomoy Dr Khondkar Showkat Hossain, along with journalists, officials and employees of the organisation, welcomed the new editor with flowers. The event was attended by Md Abdul Motaleb, director of human resources of Unique Group; Syed Enamul Haque, deputy general manager of PHP Family; and journalists, officers and staff from different departments of the newspaper.

Addressing journalists and staff after assuming office, Shakawath said initiatives would be taken to take Amader Shomoy forward while upholding its legacy and reputation. He emphasised professional excellence in journalism and assured improvements in employees' welfare and benefits, urging everyone to carry out their responsibilities with dedication to further establish the newspaper as a reader-friendly and reliable source of news.

Shakawath began his career in journalism during his student life and later moved into the corporate sector while continuing to write columns for national dailies. He subsequently joined the English-language daily The Business Post as managing editor, a position he stepped down from earlier this year.

He is widely recognised for his leadership in the tourism and hospitality sector and was recently elected vice president of the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB). He previously played a key role in promoting sports tourism in the country, including serving as cricket tourism adviser to the BCB and leading the signing of the first memorandum of understanding between the BCB and the Bangladesh Tourism Board.

Shakawath served for three years as acting general manager of the five-star hotel The Westin Dhaka and was recognised by Marriott International as the youngest resident manager in Bangladesh. Since October 2019, he has been serving as chief executive officer of Unique Hotel & Resorts PLC.

He is also an adjunct faculty member at the University of Dhaka, Southeast University and American International University–Bangladesh, and is currently pursuing a PhD in tourism and hospitality management at the University of Dhaka.