An “irreplaceable” regional press stalwart who bookended his 47-year career with the same paper has retired.

Keith Perry, 62, joined the Torquay-based Herald Express as a teenage trainee in 1963 and retired from the same title as its business editor.

In the intervening half century Keith worked as reporter, news editor, sub-editor, deputy editor, editor and self-employed publisher of start-up magazines.

Keith left the Torbay area in 1979 to move up north and work for the Hull Daily Mail as its deputy editor.

After leaving the Mail, he stayed on in the Hull area to set up and edit magazines for local authorities and businesses such as Northern Foods and Reckitt and Colman which makes household and pharmaceutical products.

He also spent a spell doing freelance production and writing until, in 1997, he became editor of Yorkshire Regional Newspapers, a group of local titles now owned by Johnston Press.

Four years later he returned to his native South Devon as an editorial manager with Devon and Cornwall Newspapers and Teignmouth and Dawlish Newspapers.

In 2002, he went back to where it all started with the Herald Express to edit the business and food and drink sections as well as being deputy head of production.

Herald Express editor Andy Phelan said: “It was a very sad day to see Keith leave the office for the last time.

“He is a wonderful journalist, much admired by his peers in the newspaper businesses.

“He had a wealth of knowledge and contacts and is quite possibly the exception to the rule that no-one is irreplaceable.

“We wish Keith a long and happy retirement and he knows he is always welcome to keep in touch with his many friends at the Herald Express.

Comments

davidt (03/11/2009 17:32:51)
I had the pleasure of working with Keith for a short time at the Hull Daily Mail. Wishing a top bloke a long and happy retirement.

Sue (05/11/2009 12:46:14)
Yep, great bloke – a legend in his own lunchtime.

jo davison (05/11/2009 12:47:38)
Keith Perry, a legend in his own lunchtime!!
Still love you, ex HDM-er Jo D

Mark H (06/11/2009 16:37:33)
There’s a bottle or three of wine waiting for you next time you’re up in Hull!
And how do you fancy restarting the dining club again after all these years?

Duncan F (20/11/2009 09:08:26)
Cheers to a charming chap. I had the pleasure of working with him at Hull, Beverley and later Scarborough. He is a one-off

Stuart Arnold (19/03/2010 12:10:14)
What happened to Keith’s moustache? Best wishes mate, remember you from Driff Times days – my first real newspaper – and our occasional drinks in the Full Measure pub next door!
Always grateful too for the reference you gave me when I moved up to The Northern Echo. It did the trick and I got the job! Top bloke. All the best.