A deputy editor and head of content are set to lose their jobs – along with two photographers – in a fresh round of cutbacks at two sister dailies.
Newsquest has confirmed that the roles of Francesca Winrow, left, and Helen Brown have been put at risk of redundancy following a review of the Lancashire Telegraph’s structure.
A similar restructure has taken place at the Bolton News, with deputy editor Lynn Ashwell and a staff photographer’s job put under threat.
In her role as head of content, Francesca had been responsible for running much of the Blackburn-based Telegraph’s day-to-day operation prior to the arrival of new editor Steven Thompson in July.
Before Steven’s appointment, the paper had not had a dedicated editor since the departure of Kevin Young in July 2015 – with Newsquest North West group editor Ian Savage dividing his time between Bolton and Blackburn.
Ian retains the group editor title but has relinquished direct responsibility for the Telegraph since Steven’s appointment, with the latter reporting directly to Newsquest North West managing director Nick Fellows.
A Newsquest spokesman said: “Due to the ongoing changes in our industry we continue to review our structures. Regrettably, these proposals have placed two roles at the Lancashire Telegraph at risk of redundancy.
“Following a further review at another of our North-West titles, two roles at the Bolton News are now also at risk of redundancy.”
Last year Newsquest announced a restructure of its photographic operation in the North-West of England, with two roles put at risk of redundancy as a result.
The previous year deputy editor Alan Simpson and picture editor Neil Johnson were among the Telegraph staff made redundant in an earlier round of cutbacks.
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Good move, Newsquest. A real commitment to quality journalism.
I can’t understand why your businesses are struggling so much.
After all, your commitment to quality is… oh, wait. That’s a no then.
Even now, decisions like this beggar belief.
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Having worked with both Fran and Helen, I can say they are among the most dedicated, hard-working, and talented journalists I have had the pleasure of working with. This is a terrible shame.
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Let ye not be gobsmacked. Sad yes but they’re following standard Newsquest procedures to drain quality from good papers.
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It’s a horrible time losing your job, especially when you have a passion for it. But not working for Newsquest anymore was the best thing that happened when the axe struck me in 2014, something I appreciate every time I see another story on HTFP about that ever-diminishing company.
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Info please:
What’s the going rate for redundo terms with Newsquest (how many weeks pay per year of service) and is there a ceiling ( a year’s pay or whatever it is).
As an endangered species, I think I may need to know…
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Regional: Statutory only – you can work it out here:
https://www.gov.uk/calculate-your-redundancy-pay
Plus gardening leave (normal pay, taxed) if they don’t make you work notice.
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If it’s statutory only, that puts Newsquest at the very bottom of a grotesque heap.
No wonder they are buying up papers when they can dump the staff at rock bottom costs and no doubt flog off any assets like district offices. Even Trinity Mirror offers two weeks for every year of service.
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