Keith Sutton, editorial director of the Cumbrian Newspapers Group, has been nominated as the next vice president of the Society of Editors.

The 57-year-old, who is also editor of the News & Star in Carlisle and The Cumberland News, has been a director of the Society of Editors since 2000 and is a past-chairman of the North West region.

He has the unanimous support of the board of the society and, if his election is confirmed at next month's annual meeting during the society's London conference, he will be vice president to Neil Benson, editorial director of Trinity Mirror Regional newspapers.

Neil, the current vice president, is due to take over as president of the society at the end of the annual conference, which takes place between October 12 and 14.

Keith began his career in journalism on a local newspaper in Surrey in 1962, moving to Fleet Street in 1966.

In a long career on national newspapers he worked in sport, news and features as sub and writer on newspapers including the Daily Mail and the Sun.

He was chief sub-editor (features) on the Daily Expres, features editor of the (London) Evening News, and launch editor of the short-lived national News on Sunday.

He edited the North West Evening Mail in Barrow from 1987 to 1993 when he took over as editor of The Cumberland News and News & Star.

Under his editorship the titles have won several awards, and he is also editor and publishing director of the monthly Cumbrian Business Gazette.

If elected vice president, Keith will then be set to take over as president of the society in a year's time.

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