James Murdoch has been promoted to deputy chief operating officer at News Corp and chairman and chief executive of its international operations, confirming him as the family’s heir presumptive and setting the scene for a staggered handover of power at the $46bn media group.

The move comes weeks after the group run by 80-year-old Rupert Murdoch bought Shine, a TV production company run by his daughter Elisabeth, and amid signs that his son Lachlan was becoming more involved in News Corp’s activities.

However, it dispels questions about whether James remained the favoured sibling to succeed his father. James will move from London to New York, marking the first time that one of Mr Murdoch’s children has been based in News Corp’s headquarters since Lachlan gave up his executive duties after clashing with other executives there.