MUMBAI: Chris Cramer, who has headed CNN International's operations for the last 11 years, is retiring effective 31 March.

"I shall be saying farewell over the next few months in Atlanta, London and Hong Kong and hope we can raise a glass somewhere along the way," the CNNI managing director said Wednesday in an e-mail to staffers across the globe.

"In April I will have been at the helm of CNN International for 11 years -- and I believe it's time to retire from the company and look for the next challenge.

"2006 was a record year for the international services, record distribution for CNNI and CNN en Espanol, and record revenues for all of our overseas businesses, including CNNI.com. Each unit is now profitable. It was also a fabulous year for our global journalism with accolades and awards for staff and services alike. Thankfully we also managed to keep our folks safe wherever they were working and led the industry in safety and training for all those who work in the field."

Cramer joined CNN in 1996 from BBC, where he had worked for 25 years, five of them as head of newsgathering.

CNN is still to name Cramer’s successor.