Mike Hill has been appointed editor of the South Wales Echo.

Since January Mike has been the Echo’s acting editor and has been helping to develop Media Wales’s preparations for the move to the single newsroom structure later this year.

Mike has 14 years of experience working on daily, weekly and free newspaper titles, and has spent the last 18 months as head of multimedia for Trinity Mirror Regionals. He will formally take up his new role from March 1.

Neil Benson, editorial director for Trinity Mirror Regionals, said: “Mike’s experience in print, coupled with the wealth of knowledge he has gained while leading our multimedia development, makes him an ideal choice to lead the Echo.

“Our Cardiff newsroom plans are truly mould-breaking and Mike will play a full part in helping to deliver a fully-integrated, 24/7 operation.”

Editorial director of Media Wales, Alan Edmunds, said: “I am sure we will all very much enjoy working with Mike and utilising his impressive multimedia experience.

“We welcome him to our team in what will be a momentous year in Cardiff.”

Prior to his group-wide multimedia role Mike worked at the Derby Evening Telegraph in a variety of roles including deputy news editor and news editor.