An editor praised for his “vast experience and great integrity” has announced he is to leave the weekly he has edited for more than two decades.
Malcolm Warne has been in charge of Darlington & Stockton Times for the past 23 years and has also served as editor of the Durham Times and the Advertiser series of freesheets since 2007.
In the course of 35 years in journalism, Malcolm has also worked as news editor of Newsquest sister title The Northern Echo.
Its deputy editor Chris Lloyd will now oversee the day to day operations at Malcolm’s former titles in his role as deputy group editor (Newsquest North-East) from May.
Echo editor Peter Barron, who also holds the position of group editor (Newsquest North-East), will assume overall responsibility for the papers.
He paid tribute to Malcolm in a piece announcing the departure on the Echo’s website.
Said Peter: “It has been a privilege to have worked with Malcolm over three decades of momentous change in our industry.
“Throughout, he has been a source of great support, not only as a colleague but as a trusted friend. I will miss his wisdom, vast experience and great integrity.”
David Coates, managing director of Newsquest North-East, added: “Malcolm has done a superb job in steering the Darlington & Stockton Times through a period of significant change, maintaining the paper’s values and building on its reputation for editorial quality and trust.
“We wish Malcolm the very best for the future.”
Malcolm has yet to respond to HTFP’s request for a comment.
Sign up for our free daily email bulletin
Follow HTFP on Twitter
Got a story? Email the Editor at
HTFP wrong-footed us all yesterday with a report initially headline ‘Editor leaving to seek new challenges’, which was then revised to ‘Editor to join rival publishers’ (cheers, folks). However, if this is a push-out job (and Malcolm’s refusal to comment suggests it is as a redundo payment would be hanging on his silence) then another highly experienced operator has been lost. Best wishes, Malcolm.
Report this comment
Another one bites the dust…
Good job Peter Barron made the announcement on the website, otherwise most “readers” will have missed it.
I thinnk it is time HTFP did a tally of Editors that have gone for the “season”. Just the last 12 months will do.
The lifespan of a football league manager now has more appeal.
Report this comment
Malcolm’s departure will be a great loss to the D&S – superb editor and journalist… and a really decent man as well. I wish him well.
Report this comment
I was fortunate to work with Malcolm on the launch of the sister paper of the D&S, the Durham Times, and it’s a real shame to see his departure.
The D&S Times has been a fantastic newspaper under his charge – packed to the brim with local news, and that’s thanks to the huge amount of work he’s put into it. On bank holidays and weekends, you would find him hard at work putting all the pieces together to create a successful paper, most notably gathering a formidable legion of contributors.
Beyond that, his nights were often filled with either attending events on behalf of the paper, filling its pages with photographs for its social diary, or working on restaurant reviews to highlight the best and worst around the patch. That amount of work and dedication to the task is, quite simply, irreplaceable.
I don’t know his future plans – but anyone looking for a new editor who would also be an ambassador to the community really should look no further.
Good luck, Malcolm!
Report this comment