The former editor of a city weekly who left the paper this summer is to head up a new business lobbying organisation.

Stacey Barnfield, pictured left, who edited the Birmingham Post between February 2013 and July this year, has been appointed chairman of Downtown in Business Birmingham and starts his new role on Tuesday.

Downtown in Business was founded in Liverpool in 2004 to provide leadership for private sector companies and entrepreneurs.

In his role heading up its new Birmingham branch, Stacey will be responsible for organising events and attracting prominent speakers from a variety of sectors to discuss a range of issues such as skills retention and access to finance.

He said: “I’m delighted to be working with Downtown in Business as it launches in Birmingham.

“There is much to champion and much to challenge in our region, such as Whitehall offers of devolution, the name and direction of the region’s new super-council, a proposed metro mayor and a city authority in turmoil.

“However I also want Downtown to play a part in street-level civic and business issues such as public realm, transport infrastructure and the city’s heritage and conservation; all matters which affect businesses large and small.”

Prior to his role on the Post Stacey spent four years as executive editor of the Birmingham Mail and has had a variety of roles spanning two decades in the West Midlands media.

Downtown in Business was founded by former politician Frank McKenna, who served as the leader of the North West Regional Assembly, deputy leader of Lancashire County Council and a Parliamentary Assistant.

He said: “It is important we hit the ground running, and that means having someone with a good knowledge of the city, its issues and its businesses.

“Stacey has a real passion for Birmingham and a great private sector network. We are looking forward to him contributing to Downtown’s work in our latest venture.”