A group editor responsible for 18 weekly newspapers has left a regional publisher after seven years’ service.
Tim Jones, pictured left, group editor for Newsquest North London, left the company on Friday.
In his role, he had been responsible for of all Newsquest’s weekly titles in North London, South Buckinghamshire and South Hertfordshire after a restructure in 2015.
Prior to that, Tim was in charge of Newsquest’s East London and West Essex titles.
Newsquest North London deputy group editor Victoria Birch has now taken on the role of Newsquest North London editor.
Victoria, right, will report to Chris Hatton who is now editor-in-chief for Newsquest North London and Essex .
Michael Harper, Newsquest Essex & North London managing director, said: “Tim Jones, group editor for Newsquest North London, left the Company on 20 January 2017 after seven years of service.
“I would like to take this opportunity to acknowledge and thank Tim for his contribution to the Company and I hope you will join me in wishing Tim every success in the future.
“I am pleased to announce that Victoria Birch takes up the role of Editor, Newsquest North London from 23 January 2017. Victoria will report to Chris Hatton, Regional editor-in-chief.
“All staff who reported to Tim will now report to Victoria. I am sure you will join me in wishing Victoria the very best in her new role.”
The full list of titles now overseen by Victoria is as follows:
South Herts: St Albans and Harpenden Review, Watford Observer
East London and West Essex: Chingford Guardian, Epping Forest Guardian, Waltham Forest Guardian, Wanstead and Woodford Guardian
North London: Barnet & Potters Bar Times, Borehamwood Times, Ealing Times, Edgware & Mill Hill Times, Enfield Independent, Haringey Independent, Harrow Times, Hendon & Finchley Times, Hillingdon Times.
South Bucks: Bucks Free Press, Marlow Free Press, South Bucks Star
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Let me read that headline again
“Editor responsible for 18 weeklies leaves regional publisher”
18 weekly titles?
beggars belief how anyone can be “responsible” for the smooth running and day to day true editorship of 18 titles?,no wonder the poor chap left,though probably not of his own choosing.
If NQ put so little value or esteem in those 18 titles as to have one person editing them i fear for the future of the title,those working on them and the company as a whole.
How one person can successfully handle such a position to any level of excellence is beyond my comprehension.
You also have to sympathise with the incoming “editor” Victoria Birch who i assume has a wealth of editorial experience? ( what is her background? it doesnt say in the peice,usually its a long list of previous roles,accolades and achievements) to be able to take on this role at a time when ,as is evidenced again, editors are becoming things of the past and are,sorry to say ,but little more than can carriers for the “content ” chiefs
Wishing good luck to Tim Jones and even better luck to Ms Birch
The ongoing cull of editors continues apace.
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Everything about this story is staggering, from the sheer numbers of papers under one remit, to the fact the people involved don’t look old enough to get served in Morrisons.
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Christ, how ON EARTH can one man edit 18 titles? He’s probably leaving to get some sleep…no-one can effectively manage that many titles without a few sleepless nights….
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I am sure you will want to join me in dismay at the MD’s hackneyed, cliche-ridden, corporate drivel of a statement. My nine-year-old could do better than that.
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Only 18? The man just wasn’t working hard enough. Obviously these people, whoever they work for, are not real editors as once existed when dinos roamed the earth.
group editorial directors might be more accurate. or just meeting fodder? Good luck Ms Birch. You are undoubtedly going to need it.
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Any advance on 18.. come on, any advance on 18!
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I too read this with utter incredulity at the thought of what this chaps day must have looked like.
The editorial responsibility for 18 titles is a task surely no one can excel at,no matter how experienced or competent they might have been, however I guess he saw the signs and knew what he was letting himself in for when he took over the role from his predecessor when the company stood off group editors to merge all 18 into one persons responsibility.
One can only wish Ms Birch all the luck in the world in taking on this position and hope she is fully aware of the task ahead and isn’t just impressed by the fancy title this role carries at a time when editors positions are vulnerable to say the least.
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Paul Hardcastle:
“The average number of papers edited by one man in 2017 was A-A-AA Eighteen!”
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18 newspapers for one editor, covering South Herts; East London; North London: and South Bucks? I pity the poor soul who had to sort out Tim’s leaving card!
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At a time when proper editors in all companies are needed to kick so many shoddy papers into shape they are either getting booted out or quitting. Not an encouraging sign for a kid making a career.
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Was he literally responsible for 18 titles, or was it more the case that there were people on the various publications who to all intents and purposes edited them but he may have had the final call over certain things and been the one in the firing line if there were any legal cock-ups etc? The group editor in my company certainly has very little direct involvement in many of the titles produced.
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Not sure @sub it out but 2 of the titles are definitely online only titles in the Hillingdon and Ealing Times. Not sure about any of the others.
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Anyone accepting a position that involves ‘editing’ or even just overseeing that number of titles really ought to reconsider the implications,unless it’s a role in name alone then it’s really just a scapegoat position.
Either way I hope Victoria Birch has spoken to be outgoing editor and knows what she let herself in for and I wish her the best of luck ,boy will she need it
Watch this space
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