Philip Welsh, managing director of The Gazette in Blackpool, is to leave the company at the end of the month.

He has been MD of the company since 1996.

During that time he has overseen a number of major changes within the business, including the conversion of The Gazette from broadsheet to tabloid and the launch of more than a dozen new newspaper and magazine titles across the Fylde Coast.

He has also led The Gazette team to a host of industry awards including UK Newspaper Of The Year in 2003 and UK Publishing Centre Of The Year in 2005.

Philip (pictured) said: "It is with some sadness that I leave The Gazette.

"However, I take heart from the fact that I leave behind a company with a great workforce and a brilliant portfolio of market-leading products.

"I am confident that the company and its titles will continue to go from strength to strength."

Before joining the Blackpool paper, Philip was editor of the Preston-based Lancashire Evening Post and has worked in newspapers for 30 years.

He is also chairman of the government-led Regional Media Emergency Forum.