Departing Leicester Mercury editor Nick Carter has been praised as a “consummate professional” by his new bosses at a company being set up to drive economic development in the county.

As reported by HoldtheFrontPage last Friday, Nick is standing down after 15 years in the Mercury hotseat to chair the Leicester and Leicestershire Economic Development Company.

He said yesterday: “After 34 years in newspapers, I am relishing this new opportunity to help make a difference to the prosperity of our area. No-one is underestimating the scale of the challenge and we will need to forge new partnerships to make progress.”

Nick will start his new role in March and will be working closely with local councils, private companies and the East Midlands Development Agency.

Ross Willmott, leader of Leicester City Council, said yesterday: “I have enjoyed an interesting and sometimes colourful relationship with the Leicester Mercury whilst Nick Carter has been editor. However, one thing is certain, Nick has always been a consummate professional.

“It is great news that he has agreed to become chair of our new Economic Development Company and we are very fortunate to have secured someone of his calibre.”

Leicestershire County Council leader David Parsons added: “I am delighted that Nick Carter has accepted the chairmanship. He is a prominent figure in the business community and more widely.

“I am confident that he will continue to champion our interests and his experience will be of great benefit to the company, which is going to play a key role in the economic wellbeing of our area.”