A new editor has been appointed to oversee two award-winning titles in Essex after a company reshuffle.

Paul Dent-Jones, currently editor of the Essex Chronicle, will now additionally have responsibility for the Brentwood Gazette.

The move comes after Gazette editor Nev Wilson switched to a new role of special projects editor on the corporate development team of publisher Local World, reporting to group head of content Andy Phelan.

One of Nev’s last acts as editor was to lift the Weekly Newspaper of the Year prize at this month’s Regional Press Awards.

Paul, pictured, has been with the Essex Chronicle for six years, joining initially as news editor before being promoted to editor of the title in 2012.

Before this, Paul worked as a reporter on the Slough and Windsor Observer, the Recorder series in London, and as a national freelancer.

In his new role Paul will continue to edit the Chronicle, which celebrates its 250th anniversary in August, but will also take ‘supervisory responsibility’ for the Gazette, and the two websites operated by the business from Chelmsford.

Said Paul: “It’s a real honour to be editor of the newspaper that I grew up reading.

“I want to build on the success of the past two years by developing our print titles and their platforms, driving even more users to our websites, and making the business even more profitable.”

Richard Karn, managing director for LW South East, added: “Paul has really grasped the transformation vision that Local World brought to our business when it launched last January, led his team from the front, and has exceptional energy, creativity, and a personal commitment to the area which will inspire those around him.

“I look forward to working with him to build on the achievements of the last two years.

“In light of this appointment, we are now seeking an editor for the award-winning Brentwood Gazette newspaper and brentwoodgazette.co.uk Interested candidates should apply to Paul in the first instance at [email protected],” he added.