A reshuffle of senior staff at sister Northcliffe weeklies in the Westcountry has been prompted by the impending retirement of the West Briton’s John Pearn.

John (right) has edited the title since 1996 and is to leave at the end of next month to develop Cornwall & Devon Media’s magazine portfolio until his early retirement next July. He asked for the change, which will round off 15 years as a Northcliffe editor.

John, (53), was appointed editor of the Cornish Guardian in 1989 and editor of the West Briton in 1996. During his time at the West Briton the paper has won a number of awards including the Newspaper Society’s Weekly Newspaper of the Year in 2001. He has also presided over a 10.6 per cent increase in circulation.

His successor at the West Briton will be Cornishman editor Richard Vanhinsbergh, who has been at the helm for 18 years. Richard has overseen a 12.4 increase in the Cornishman sale.

He will join in time for the move to the company’s new building at City Wharf in Truro in January.

The new editor of the Cornishman will be Jeremy Ridge, currently deputy editor of the West Briton.

The new deputy editor of the West Briton will be John Williams, currently assistant editor/sports editor at the Cornishman.

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