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Editor retires after four decades in journalism

A business magazine and former regional newspaper daily editor has retired for a second time – bringing to an end more than 40 years in journalism.

Peter Butterfield left the then Lancashire Evening Telegraph in 2000 after serving as its editor for 15 years, earning him him praise from then home secretary Jack Straw.

Peter went on to work for Edge Hill College as a journalism lecturer and Calderstones NHS Trust, where he still holds a role today.

For the past 13 months he has been editor of Lancashire Business View but has decided to retire from the title full-time aged 66.

During his brief spell with the magazine, Peter steered it through a rebrand and redesign, introduced new features and guided the development of a new website to go live next month.

He will not be severing his ties completely though when leaves next month as he will work in a consultancy role.

Peter will also help to guide new editor Ben Briggs when he takes over on 3 July from his current role as business reporter with the Lancashire Telegraph.

Ben began his journalism career with the Farmers Guardian, Preston, before joining the Lancashire Telegraph in 2006 and taking on the business role last year.

Peter said: “I have thoroughly enjoyed my time as editor of Lancashire’s premier business magazine and I am indebted to Richard Slater, the publisher, for allowing me this ‘last hurrah’ as an editor.

“I had planned to retire last year but Richard persuaded me to postpone it to take the magazine on to its next stage and to help identify a long-term editor.

“I feel that now is the moment to hand over to someone younger and we have found an able and dynamic successor in Ben Briggs. I have had a lot of fun but it’s time I got the garden sorted out.”

Peter began his career with the Gateshead Post and took in spells with Newcastle’s Evening Chronicle and Journal, Reading Evening Post and Cardiff-based daily the Western Mail where he was deputy editor.