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Newspaper editors among North-West media heavyweights

Regional newspaper editors are among the most influential and powerful media people in the north-west, according to a new ‘power list.’

Media website How-Do has published its second annual list with news chiefs from the Manchester Evening News and Liverpool Echo among the heavyweights mentioned.

The judging panel included included BBC regional political correspondent Jim Hancock, former BBC staffer Martin Brooks and former Cheshire Life editor Patrick O’Neill.

Topping the list is Grange Hill and Brookside screen writer Phil Redmond.

How-Do says there are reportedly 130,000 people working in the broader media industries in the north west, representing one of the largest concentrations of media activity in Europe.

Criteria for inclusion included seniority, influence, number of staff employed and impact on the region – as well as how quickly the judges would phone the candidate back.

The list comprises a top 30 followed by 70 other media players in no particular order.

  • 3. Paul Horrocks, editor of the Manchester Evening News. The region’s most influential editor, according to the list, and the one visiting government officials make a point of looking up.
  • 7. Alastair Machray, editor of the Liverpool Echo. It’s been a year of big news and campaigning stories for the Echo along with a facelift and relaunch last month.
  • 10. Mark Dodson, chief executive of Guardian Media Group’s regional division. Oversees a growing empire including MEN Media, Surrey & Berkshire Media, Channel m and a stake in Fish4.
  • 13. Robin Burgess, chief executive of the Carlisle-based CN Group. The group appears to have weathered the media financial storm better than others and continues to launch new magazine titles.
  • 16. Alison Hastings, consultant. Former regional newspaper editor now working with the BBC ethics committee as well as the Press Complaints Commission, Society of Editors and Trinity Mirror.
  • 20. Sara Wilde, managing director of Trinity Mirror North West. Has had a busy year with the plan to move printing of the Liverpool Echo and Daily Post to Oldham and closure of TM district offices.
  • 24. Roger Borrell, editor of Lancashire Life. He is also editor-in-chief for Archant’s north west operations whose titles include Cheshire Life and Lake District Life.
  • And the best of the rest:

  • Mark Thomas, editor of the Liverpool Daily Post. Oversaw increased distribution of free copies married with investment in business, sport, magazines and special publications.
  • Steve Brauner, editor of Crain’s Manchester Business. Former North West Evening Mail editor who is now bidding to make Crain’s the must-have magazine for the city’s business readership.
  • Simon Reynolds, editor of the Lancashire Evening Post. Has spearheaded digital publication at the Preston daily which became the UK’s first so-called fully-converged news operation in 2006.
  • Nick Turner, head of digital content development, CN Group. He is due to join the board of the Society of Editors this month and is heavily involved with the Digital Editors Network.
  • Rob Irvine, editor of the North Wales Daily Post. He is also publishing director of Trinity Mirror North Wales and has overseen the launch of a sister Welsh language news website.
  • Ruth Spratt, incoming MEN Media managing director. Will be overseeing the Manchester Evening News, sister weekly titles in Greater Manchester and Channel m.
  • Liz Page, managing director of Archant Life for the northern region. Controls over a dozen lifestyle magazines including Cheshire Life and Lancashire Life.
  • Neil Benson, editorial director for Trinity Mirror Regionals. Now based in Chester, is tasked with a broad editorial development role with a focus on digital interests.
  • Jonathan Lee, editor of the North West Evening Mail. His CV also boasting stints at the Westmorland Gazette and the Blackpool Gazette as well as editor of the Shetland Times
  • Kevin Young, editor of the Lancashire Telegraph. Has launched several ‘ultra local’ titles and in March started a free text news service – claimed to be the first for a UK newspaper.
  • Bill Gleeson, business editor of the Liverpool Daily Post. Now in his ninth year in the role, Bill has seen investment in business coverage and a new business magazine.
  • Ian Savage, editor of the Bolton News. He previously worked at the MEN and won daily newspaper of the year at the North West Newspaper Awards in June.
  • Murray Morse, editor-in-chief of Sport Newspapers. The former Cambridge Evening News editor joined the Manchester-based Sport group in July with a mission to up the news content.
  • Comments

    Dan Depan (14/11/2008 23:50:24)
    Ah if only Mark Dodson would move and shake out of the media along with Horrocks who, had he been skipper on the Titanic, would have denied the iceberg ever existed