2010s On 25 March 2010, Independent News & Media sold the newspaper to a new company owned by the family of Russian oligarch Alexander Lebedev for a nominal £1 fee and £9.25 million over the next 10 months, choosing this option over closing The Independent and The Independent on Sunday, which would have cost £28 million and £40 million respectively, due to long-term contracts. Alexander's son Evgeny became chairman of the new company, with Alexander becoming a board director. In 2009, Lebedev had bought a controlling stake in the London Evening Standard. Two weeks later, editor Roger Alton resigned.Ponsford, Dominic (9 April 2010) "Roger Alton steps down as Independent editor" , Press Gazette (London).
2010s on 25 march 2010 independent news & media sold the newspaper to a new company owned by the family of russian oligarch alexander lebedev for a nominal £1 fee and £925 million over the next 10 months choosing this option over closing the independent and the independent on sunday which would have cost £28 million and £40 million respectively due to long-term contracts alexander's son evgeny became chairman of the new company with alexander becoming a board director in 2009 lebedev had bought a controlling stake in the london evening standard two weeks later editor roger alton resignedponsford dominic (9 april 2010) "roger alton steps down as independent editor"  press gazette (london)