AddThis SmartLayers

Influential former newspaper boss dies aged 78

A journalist-turned-managing director who was instrumental in launching a still-thriving evening newspaper has died aged 78.

Robbie Thomas, left, was MD of North Wales Newspapers – now NWN Media – for 25 years and also served as president of the Newspaper Society in 1985.

In 1973, he oversaw the launch of the Evening Leader, which continues to be published daily across Wrexham, Deeside and Chester.

He took early retirement in 1987 when NWN relocated its head office from Oswestry to a new greenfield site in Mold.

Born David Robert Thomas, he originally trained as a journalist with the Border Counties Advertizer, rising eventually to the position of editorial director.

He was appointed assistant general manager in 1959 by his cousin Eric Thomas, who owned the business, becoming MD in 1962.

As NS president he had been a key negotiator with unions at a time when industry wide agreements were the norm.

He recently wrote: “I still have bouts of nostalgia when I think of the late night sessions with the trade unions full of smoke and beer fumes…in retrospect a full and very enjoyable piece of my life.”

After leaving NWN Robbie retired to live in Switzerland with his Swiss-born wife Ruth who pre-deceased him several years ago.

He leaves three daughters and a son, two grandaughters and a grandson.