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Maria McGeoghan confirmed as MEN editor

Maria McGeoghan has today been appointed editor of the Manchester Evening News in the first major decision by new owners Trinity Mirror.

The appointment was announced to staff in Manchester this morning, hours after after the formal completion of Trinity’s purchase of the title.

Georgina Harvey, managing director of Trinity Mirror Regionals, said: “I am delighted to announce the appointment of Maria as the editor of the Manchester Evening News.

“This iconic newspaper has a rich and important heritage and Maria’s passion and experience will guide the title – across all platforms – to further and future success.”

Maria, 48, who has also been made editor-in-chief of the MEN’s 21 sister weeklies, joined the MEN as assistant editor in 1998 having previously held a number of senior roles at the Trinity-owned Liverpool Echo.

She was appointed deputy editor in 2006 and has been acting editor since the departure of Paul Horrocks as editor last October after 12 years in charge.

Said Maria: “I’m absolutely delighted to have been appointed editor of the Manchester Evening News. This is a great paper with a fantastic team of people who work very hard to set the news agenda in Greater Manchester.

“I’m also very proud of our weekly titles which continue to serve their communities so well. This is a very exciting time for our newspapers and I’m looking forward to being part of the team driving for a successful future.”

The MEN was sold by Guardian Media Group along with its weekly stablemates and sister titles in Surrey and Berkshire last month for £7m cash plus release from a printing contract worth £37m.

The £44m deal makes Trinity, which now owns all three regional dailies in Liverpool and Manchester, the dominant media player in the North-West of England.

Another task facing the new owners will be to decide whether or not the MEN and its sister weeklies are to remain in Manchester or move to Trinity’s existing centre in Oldham as was widely mooted at the time of the takeover announcement.

GMG is retaining the lease on its existing premises at 1 Scott Place, and Trinity is continuing to explore options for a new home for the titles.

It is understood there are no plans for the MEN to report into Trinity’s existing North West and Wales division under managing director Sara Wilde.

David Sharrock, who was appointed managing director of MEN Media on the day the deal was announced, is expected to report directly to Georgina Harvey, MD of Trinity Mirror Regionals.

Comments

Ripley (29/03/2010 11:08:06)
Anyone who has seen the film ‘Alien’ will recall that when the Facehugger is prised off the face of Kane (John Hurt), he seems absolutely fine. But when the Nostromo crew sit down together for a meal, Kane’s condition takes a turn for the worse….

Journo (29/03/2010 11:34:36)
The paper is like a turkey that’s just caught Bernard Matthews grinning at it…