The managing editor of London’s Evening Standard is to become the next president of the Society of Editors following its conference next week.

Doug Wills began his career with Thomson Regional Newspapers – now part of Trinity Mirror – and has also worked for The Observer, Mail on Sunday and the Mirror Group.

He became managing editor of the Standard in 2005 and then group managing editor in 2011.

Doug will take over as president from Southern Daily Echo editor Ian Murray, subject to approval at the Society AGM on Sunday.

Said Doug: “I am looking forward to the challenges of continuing to develop the Society. It has members in all sections of the media and has established a powerful reputation as the voice of the industry as pressures mount both commercially and in terms of restrictions on our ability to inform the public.”

Ian added: “Doug’s wide experience in both regional and national newspapers and his involvement with local TV in London makes him an ideal candidate for the presidency. We are confident that he will take the Society forward at a time of rapid change across the industry and for the organisation itself.”