Alan Powell has been named as the new editor of the Sheffield Star.

Previously editor of the Star’s weekly sister paper, the Sheffield Telegraph, he was officially installed in the post this week after being acting editor since October.

He succeeds Peter Charlton, who now edits the Yorkshire Post.

Alan, (58), said: “The Star has a tremendous editorial team and I look forward to the challenges ahead.

“Sheffield is undergoing a renaissance and the paper will reflect the feelings of people from every walk of life in the city.

“The Star will continue to be the voice of communities in the region.”

Alan (pictured) began his career on the Burnley Express.

He was also deputy editor of the Sheffield Star, before launching the Sheffield Telegraph in 1989.

Three years ago he was made an honorary doctor of Sheffield Hallam University for his services to regional journalism and the City of Sheffield.

He is a trustee of Open Industry in Sheffield and chairs the appeal committee of the Extra Care Village project at Woodhouse. He is also a member of the appeal committee for the City Hall and recently stepped down at chair of the advisory group of Common Purpose in Sheffield.

On a national level, Alan is a member of the board of the Society of Editors and sits on the society’s Parliamentary and Legal Committee. He also edits the society’s Briefing newsletter.

Divisional managing director Mike Hutchby said: “This is an excellent appointment for the company. Alan has an outstanding career history with Sheffield Newspapers and he has a track record of running award-winning newspapers.

“This is a very exciting time for The Star, in which we have to embrace the changes that are taking place in Sheffield and the region.

“We have just undertaken a major research project on the paper in which readers told us in great detail, the issues that concern them. This is having an impact on the content of the title, and there have been encouraging results.”