A number of promotions has been announced for senior editorial staff at the Derby Evening Telegraph, as editor Mike Norton strengthens his newsroom team.

Mick Hill has been appointed assistant editor. Mick, (32), began his career at the Leicester Herald & Post before joining the Evening Telegraph in 1994 as a trainee reporter. He rose through the ranks to become news editor, a post he held until his promotion this week.

Pete Pheasant will become the DET’s new chief sub editor at the end of this month, taking over from Hilary Burton who will take on a new role at the newspaper.

Pete, (47), a former editor of the Ilkeston Advertiser, started his journalism career in 1973 and joined the Evening Telegraph in 1994, becoming deputy chief sub in February 2001. He was also joint launch editor of holdthefrontpage.

Hilary, (38), will become promotions editor, making the newspaper promotions a seamless part of the editorial content, turning them from “advertorials” into entertaining, people-led stories. She joined the Evening Telegraph in 1996 after editing the Whitby Gazette.

Mike Norton has also named Cheryl Dinning as news editor, succeeding Mick Hill. Thirty-year-old Cheryl, formerly of the Doncaster Advertiser, has been at the Evening Telegraph since 1996.

The changes were prompted by assistant editor Steve Nicholson’s decision to return to his first love of football, and he takes on the additional role of chief sports writer, covering Derby County full-time, following the retirement of Gerald Mortimer.

Editor Mike Norton said: “The appointment of an assistant editor to the Derby County writer’s job is a measure of the importance I attach to that role.

“In order to be taken seriously at the club, I think the DET needs to be represented by someone of Steve’s experience and with his detailed knowledge of both Derby County and football in general.”

The Telegraph plans to use that expertise to increase its coverage of the Rams next season as they bid to make a swift return to the Premiership.

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