A former executive editor who launched a media consultancy business this year after leaving the profession is back in newspapers.

Mike Hughes set up MH Media Advisers in the spring after two decades at the Birmingham Post.

However he is now back in the daily newspaper world as chief desk editor in charge of business and features at the Trinity Mirror-owned Evening Gazette in Middlesbrough.

Mike told HTFP the Gazette’s offer had simply been “too good to refuse.”

Mike’s 30-year career saw him rise up from junior reporter to chief reporter with the Ormskirk Advertiser while at the Post he worked as chief sub-editor, night editor, assistant editor and finally executive editor.

After leaving the Post he moved from the Midlands to Darlington, his wife’s home town, before launching his new venture.

He said at the time: “The Post is a fantastic place to work but I really did feel like something fresh. I wanted to take away the safety net and do something on my own.”

A short closing message on the company’s website now states: “Times change….many thanks to all those I have worked with during the short working life of MHMA.”

Mike told HTFP: “The business was going well but opportunities like this one come around so rarely. It really interested me and completely turned my attentions towards it.

“I got offered the job and I’m absolutely thrilled with it. It was too good an offer to refuse.”