Former Northcliffe Newspapers editor Colin Davison has been appointed group editorial executive.

He leaves his role as managing director of the company’s Gloucestershire centres on July 1.

Colin, a former editor of weekly titles and later the Lincolnshire Echo and Western Morning News, has advised the Northcliffe board on editorial matters for the past four years.

But the increasing demands of his editorial role have expanded to such an extent that the new position is being created.

He will continue to advise directors on editorial issues, strengthen links with editors, develop good practice initiatives, promote efficiency, and support the implementation of Northcliffe policies in editorial. Northcliffe political correspondents will also report to Colin.