Patrick, who has overseen the growth of the site for the past eight years, is taking on a senior editorial role with Associated Northcliffe Digital, the online arm of Northcliffe Newspapers.

His new role as content distribution manager will include liaising with regional press centres about AND's digital publishing products as well as online development work.

Said Patrick: "It's been an incredible journey over the past eight years, with holdthefrontpage growing from a mere 20,000 page views each week to more than 500,000 views of the jobs pages alone per week.

"I hope the website continues to be seen as a part of the regional press industry as well as a commentator on events and a resource for journalists at all levels and from all disciplines.

"I'll miss many of the contacts and friends I have made during the years but my new role will keep me in close touch with the industry and many of its movers and shakers."

Paul Linford, currently a web development manager with AND, is taking over as acting publisher of holdthefrontpage pending a permanent appointment.

Before joining AND in 2004, Paul spent nearly 20 years working in the regional press, most recently as assistant editor (politics) of The Journal, Newcastle.

More recently he has been involved in project-managing new digital publishing products including the obituaries site Lasting Tribute and local history portal You and Yesterday.

Paul can be contacted at paul.linford@and.co.uk or on 01332 228020.

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