A former weekly editor has taken up a new role as head of communications for an NHS organisation in the South West.

Alex Cameron, pictured, has left the Newsquest-owned Somerset County Gazette after three years in charge.

The 36-year-old is now head of communications (South) for NHS Property Services Ltd, based in Taunton.

Alex joined the County Gazette as news editor in May 2007 before succeeding Ken Bird as editor in December 2011.

He began his career in journalism as a trainee reporter at the Chard and Ilminster News in 2001, becoming Chief Reporter in 2004.

Other recent job moves in the regional press include:

• Steve Bargeton, political editor of Dundeee daily The Courier, left the paper last month. A replacement is yet to be appointed.
• The Epping Forest Guardian’s Ken Mears has served his last day as pictures editor at the Newsquest title. He is now working as a freelance photographer.
• The Eastern Daily Press has appointed Louise Hepburn as a reporter covering King’s Lynn and West Norfolk.
• The Salisbury Journal has appointed Joe Riddle as chief reporter. He was previously a reporter on the newspaper.
• Sam Meadows has been appointed as a reporter at Hertfordshire Mercury.
• The Oxford Mail has appointed Naomi Herring as a reporter.  Naomi will cover the paper’s Bicester and Banbury patches.