New BRW publisher Amanda Gome has made her big change since taking on the role by appointing current SmartCompany editor James Thomson as editor of the business magazine.

The move will see current editor Kate Mills moved to another role within Fairfax.

The appointment of Thomson signals a shift towards online for BRW, which is preparing to launch a new website and iPad in January.

As well as editing SmartCompany, Thomson is also publisher of Leading CompanyStartUp Smart and Property Observer (all owned by Private Media, which publishes Crikey). Gome, a former CEO of Private Media, left the company earlier this year after differences with the board. She joined Fairfax’s Financial Review Group in October.

“It’s an exciting challenge,” Thomson told Crikey this morning of his appointment. “I started my career at BRW and have followed the magazine ever since.”

Thomson’s current deputy Cara Waters will take over as editor of SmartCompany, aimed at small businesspeople, in January.