A former journalist who moved into PR with the regional publisher he works for has now taken up a directorship with the company.

Chris Leggett, left, has been promoted to the role of marketing and communications director at the Midland News Association, which owns titles including Wolverhampton daily the Express & Star and the Shropshire Star.

Chris first joined the company as a digital journalist in 2006, and has served as its brand and communications manager since 2012.

He began his career at the Hertfordshire Mercury in 1997, and also served as chief reporter on the Hampstead & Highgate Express between 2000 and 2002 before going on to work for ITV and the BBC.

Said Chris: “I am delighted to be appointed to the board at a time when the MNA reaches more people in more ways than ever before.

“After more than 140 years, the company plays a significant and positive role in local life. I look forward to the opportunity of helping to shape its future.”

Other recent job moves in the regional press include:

• Lydia Fallon, what’s on editor and acting fashion editor for the Cambridge News, has left the paper to join the communications team at the MS Trust.    Jude Clarke is now covering the what’s on brief while Alice Ryan is now handling fashion.
• The Yorkshire Post has poached Western Morning News political correspondent Kate Langston to become its new Westminster Correspondent, based at the House of Commons.
• David Clensy has been promoted to business editor of the Bristol Post, editing its weekly business supplement and website southwestbusiness.co.uk.  He was previously live blog editor at the paper.
• Megan Titley has left the Stroud News & Journal to join the Lancashire Evening Post and Chorley & Leyland Guardian as a reporter. Her replacement in Stroud is Eddie Bisknell.
• Southern Daily Echo reporter Emily Ford has left the paper to join BBC South as broadcast journalist.  She will work for the South Online team covering news across Hampshire and Dorset.
• The Press Association has appointed Sam Blewett to its reporting team.  He was previously a senior reporter with National News and Pictures/SWNS.
• Patrick Grafton-Green has left his role as news editor of the News Shopper Series in South London as part of the ongoing restructure at the Newsquest-owned titles.
• Nottingham Post political correspondent Jennifer Scott has left the paper to join BBC News Online as a broadcast journalist.
• The Chester Chronicle has appointed Paul Wheelock as a sports journalist. He was previously Blackburn Rovers reporter at the Lancashire Telegraph.
• Ruth Ovens has joined the Somerset Guardian as a senior reporter, having moved from the Wells Journal.
• Sam Jones has been appointed as a reporter at the Whitby Gazette.
• James Watkins, previously chief reporter of the Surrey Advertiser, has become homepage editor at Get West London.

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