Nigel Wareing, editor-in-chief of Guardian Media Group’s Greater Manchester Weekly Newspapers southern division, is to become editor of the News Letter in Belfast.

In his new role Nigel, (43), will be responsible for the daily News Letter, the free Belfast News and the twice-weekly agriculture newspaper Farming Life.

He will leave GMWN early next February – after seeing his new job advertised on Holdthefrontpage – and hopes to start the new role later that month.

A proud Lancasterian, Nigel (pictured) has lived in the Greater Manchester area for most of his life, although he is no stranger to Northern Ireland.

He said: “It’s a massive challenge and one I am looking forward to very much. I feel it is the right time in my life to give it my best shot and I’m ready for the new challenge.

“I’ve been operating at a level that has equipped me with the correct level of experience, professionalism and expertise to allow me to venture into a new arena.”

This will be the first daily newspaper that Nigel has worked on, but he feels that the transition will not be a huge leap.

He said: “As a group editor I have different papers being published most days and am used to rolling deadlines.

“Obviously there will be different pressures on a daily title, but I feel I will be able to adapt well.”

Nigel began his career on the Rossendale Free Press and later worked on the Citizen newspapers in Blackburn.

In 1983 he became editor of the Salford Advertiser, and in 1990 was made editor-in-chief of GMG’s former Advertiser group.

In 1999 GMG reorganised its regional papers, with northern and southern divisions being created, and the Advertiser group was split between the two.

Nigel became editor-in-chief of the southern division and as such is responsible for the Glossop Advertiser, Knutsford Express, Macclesfield Express, Macclesfield Times, Poynton Times, South Manchester Reporter, Stockport Express, Stockport Times, Tameside Advertiser and Wilmslow Express.

Nigel succeeds Geoff Martin, who left the News Letter after 12 years to edit the Hampstead & Highgate Express Series.

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