Neil Benson, former editor of the Newcastle Evening Chronicle and Coventry Evening Telegraph, has left his post as managing director of Gazette Media Company to take up a new position with GMC’s parent company.

Mr Benson, 46, has been appointed regional editorial director of Trinity Mirror’s regional newspapers division.

Mr Benson said: “While I am delighted to have been offered this tremendous opportunity to shape our division’s editorial development, I will be extremely sorry to leave Teesside.

“The team at Gazette Media Company is among the most talented and committed in the industry and I know they will take the company from strength to strength.”

His work will involve adopting a ‘best practice’ culture across the company’s regional titles and organising newsrooms to meet the needs of multimedia publishing.

He will also be involved in identifying and developing editorial talent, as well as being responsible for the group’s editorial training centre in Newcastle.

Alastair MacColl, former deputy managing director of Northcliffe newspaper’s South West region, will take over as GMC’s new Managing Director.

Mr MacColl said: “I am delighted to be given the opportunity to join the Gazette Media Company at such an exciting time for the business and for Teesside.”

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