A weekly editor has bounced back in a new role after his job was axed by regional publisher Johnston Press in a restructure.
Simon Steele of the Rugby Advertiser was one of three editors who left the publisher last week after the company announced plans to merge the editorial management of six titles in Northamptonshire, Warwickshire and Leicestershire.
Simon announced his departure from the Advertiser on Twitter but also revealed he was starting a new job running a website for Audi, based at VW Group headquarters in Milton Keynes.
Matt Cornish has also left his role at the helm of the Daventry Express, while as reported by HTFP last month, Brian Dodds has left the Harborough Mail after 11 years in charge.
Simon tweeted on Saturday: “Got a bit emotional last night as 15 years in newspapers came to an end. Wasn’t entirely due to the cold drinks.
“Off to run a website for Audi. And drive shiny German cars.”
Matt also tweeted about leaving the Daventry Express last week after two years at the helm.
He said: “Final day at the Gusher today. Enjoyed the last two years, bit sad to leave. Hopefully I leave the paper in a healthy state. And thanks to everyone who’s supported or worked with me over the past two years.”
Johnston Press told staff in August about its plans to axe three editors at six titles, which came after the Northampton Chronicle and Echo and the Northamptonshire Telegraph move from daily to weekly publication earlier this year.
Following the redundancies, Neil Pickford, editor of the Telegraph, was given additional responsibility for the Harborough Mail.
It is understood that David Summers of the Chronicle and Echo is now in charge of the Daventry Express, while Chris Lillington of the Leamington Courier is also editing the Rugby Advertiser.
Johnston Press has declined to comment.
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These are three talented and respected editors – and nice people to boot.
Sad we’re losing Simon from the industry. I hope the other two find something soon.
Thing about this is they tried to merge Rugby and Daventry editorship before Simon took over at Rugby. That experiment was considered to be a failure – so what’s so different now that will make it a success?
The industry can’t afford to keep losing good people like this.
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It’s absolute madness for this industry to lose someone like Brian. You can’t buy experience like his.
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Just got back from holiday to see the news. It is madness for the industry to lose someone with Brian’s experience. But then the whole industry has gone mad!
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