Keith Perch, editor of the Derby Evening Telegraph, has been promoted to become the Regional New Media Director for the Midlands area for Northcliffe Electronic Publishing.

In his new role, which he takes up at the start of October, he will be in charge of all the new media staff at Northcliffe’s Midlands titles – Nottingham Evening Post, Leicester Mercury, Stoke Sentinel and the Derby Evening Telegraph.

The appointment demonstrates Northcliffe’s commitment to playing a significant role in the new media arena.

No decision has yet been taken on his successor in the editor’s chair at the Telegraph, and Mike Norton, the current deputy, will take over as Acting Editor.

Mr Perch (43) began his career as a trainee reporter with the Grimsby Evening Telegraph in 1978, and moved to Derby in 1982. After a spell at the Birmingham Post & Mail, he returned to Derby as news editor before becoming assistant editor of the Hull Daily Mail in 1986.

He left to set up a publishing company before rejoining Northcliffe as deputy editor at the Derby Evening Telegraph in the early 1990s.

He was launch editor of UK News in 1992, and editor of the South Wales Echo from 1993 to 1996. He returned to Derby as editor in January 1997.

In a message to staff, Derby’s Managing Director Tim Kitchen, said: “Whilst I am delighted for Keith as he is excited about his new challenge, I am also saddened that this business will be losing an outstanding editor who has made an enormous contribution to our newspaper and our business.”

For the last two years, in addition to his role as editor, Mr Perch has driven Derby’s new media operation.

The Derbyshire business site www.businessderbyshire.co.uk was named as BT’s national website of the year. He was also responsible for the launch of innovative websites including HoldtheFrontPage.co.uk; www.adoption-net.co.uk and www.toowrite.com

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