Regional publisher Johnston Press has announced the appointment of a second female editor in succcession to lead one of its big city dailies.

Hannah Thaxter, left, will take charge of the Yorkshire Evening Post following the departure of Nicola Furbisher at the end of 2016.

Hannah currently serves in a group-wide communities content editor role working across 27 titles for JP’s Yorkshire publishing unit.

As Hannah Ridgeway, she previously edited the Reporter series in the West Riding of Yorkshire, which includes the Dewsbury Reporter, Batley and Birstall News, Spenborough Guardian, Mirfield Reporter and Morley Observer.

Her appointment was announced to staff this week by JP Yorkshire editorial director James Mitchinson.

Said James: “Hannah’s application was of the highest quality, bursting with ideas and passion for the title’s development. I have every faith that her leadership style and tenacity will bring yet more industry awards.”

As a result of Hannah’s promotion, Kath Finlay, current assistant editor at Sheffield daily The Star and the Sheffield Telegraph, will serve as interim head of communities content for JP’s Yorkshire titles in addition to her current roles.

And in a further appointment, Yorkshire Post and Yorkshire Evening Post assistant editor Ian Day has been promoted to deputy editor of both titles.

James said: “Kath is a high-quality editorial leader with specialist knowledge of workflows which enable newsrooms to accelerate digital growth.

“I am also working closely with Nancy [Fielder, editor of The Star] who has some innovative ideas about what we should do next to keep Sheffield’s stellar audience growth journey on track.”

On Ian’s promotion, he added: “I’m sure you’ll agree that he deserves this senior appointment.

“His understanding of The Yorkshire Post and the Yorkshire Evening Post, coupled with his ability to edit the titles to an exemplary standard, have been key to my being able to get to know this behemoth of a publishing unit, making strategic operational adjustments during the course of the last 12 months that protect and enable our priority titles.”

Nicola announced her depature in November shortly before the YEP scooped the Newspaper of the Year prize at the O2 Media Awards.    She left the paper at the end of 2016.