A former regional editor is set to head up a new-look national business technology magazine.

Chris Maguire, left, who was the editor of the Chorley and Leyland Guardian for nearly six years, will leave his role as editor of the North West Business Insider to work on Business Cloud.

He will team up with computing entrepreneur Lawrence Jones MBE, CEO of UKFast, to launch the bimonthly Manchester-based venture focused on “technology for a business audience”.

A journalist for 25 years, Chris has previously worked for a number of papers including the Daily Mail and Yorkshire Evening Post.

A past Newspaper Society Journalist of the Year, Chris left the Chorley Guardian to join Insider in 2012 after overseeing an increase in the paper’s circulation.

In his first year at Insider he won the title of Business Journalist of the Year at the O2 Media Awards. A year later Insider won the Specialist Publication of the Year accolade at the 2013 O2 edition of the same awards.

Said Lawrence: “I have known Chris for many years and he is the perfect fit to take the helm of this new opportunity.

“Successful businesses need dynamic people who have the passion and vision to inspire, Chris is one of those rare people I believe in wholeheartedly.”

He added: “”In my opinion Chris is one of the country’s best editors and has a real passion for technology and business. As well as this he is one of the best events hosts I’ve worked with and has a unique style of his own.

“I’m hugely excited to be going into business with someone who is as passionate about technology as I am.”

Chris is currently working out his notice with North West Insider and takes up his post at Business Cloud in March.