AddThis SmartLayers

MD returns to editor’s chair as Midlands news chief quits

Neil WhiteA Midlands editor has announced he is stepping down from his role in the latest of a series of senior departures from Trinity Mirror’s regional newspaper stable.

Neil White, editor of the Derby Telegraph since 2012, will leave the award-winning daily newspaper on 24 June, it was announced this morning.

He will be replaced by his predecessor, Steve Hall, who edited the paper for seven years until stepping up to the managing director’s role.

Steve, who was named editor of the year at the 2012 Regional Press Awards after masterminding the campaign to save Derby’s Bombardier train-making plant, will now relinquish his duties as Derby MD to focus on his wider role as editor-in-chief for TM’s newly acquired East Midlands titles.

Neil is the third regional daily editor within Trinity Mirror to announce his departure within the space of eight days.

Paul Brackley left the Cambridge News after seven years in charge last Friday, while Kevin Booth’s last day at the Leicester Mercury is today.  All three titles were part of the Local World group until it was bought by Trinity Mirror in a £220m deal last November.

HTFP asked Trinity Mirror whether the series of departures are linked to the integration plan currently being rolled-out in the wake of the takeover, but the company has denied this.

A spokesperson responded: “The recent editorial departures are separate individual decisions. It is inevitable after any significant business change such as an acquisition or merger that some individuals take the opportunity to leave the business for various reasons, personal and professional.”

Neil moved to Derby as deputy editor to Steve in 2006, having previously been assistant editor at sister title the Nottingham Post.

As well as editing the Telegraph since 2012, Neil has also been editor-in-chief of the Burton Mail, Ashbourne News Telegraph and Uttoxeter Advertiser for the past two years.

Said Neil: “I have enjoyed my career immensely, especially the last ten years working in Derby and, latterly, with the team in East Staffordshire.

“My colleagues have been terrific – in particular, Steve Hall, who has provided sage guidance and leadership, firstly, as editor, during my time as deputy and, more recently, as managing director in Derby and editor-in-chief for the East Midlands.

“The Telegraph has been involved in some far-reaching campaigns, including the one which saved the Bombardier rail factory in Derby, raised millions of pounds for charity and been at the forefront of hard-hitting reporting such as that surrounding the tragedy of the Philpott children, killed in a fire set by their parents.

“But, after 32 years in the industry, most of it in senior positions, I feel the need to recharge my batteries and then explore the wider world.”

Added Steve: “Neil is a brilliant journalist and a fantastic friend and it’s hard to envisage the newsroom in Derby without his presence.

“He has been particularly passionate about developing talent and there are journalists throughout the UK who owe their success, at least in part, to Neil’s tutelage and encouragement.”

30 comments

You can follow all replies to this entry through the comments feed.
  • April 22, 2016 at 9:06 am
    Permalink

    Been a pleasure working with you mate. Thanks for all your support. Best of luck with whatever you decide comes next for you.

    Report this comment

    Like this comment(4)
  • April 22, 2016 at 9:18 am
    Permalink

    It’s a shame it appears to have come down to a straight choice between Hall and White for the chair, both excellent editors when there are some far inferior incumbents elsewhere in the group.

    Report this comment

    Like this comment(9)
  • April 22, 2016 at 9:20 am
    Permalink

    Neil is genuinely one of the best I’ve come across in this industry.

    He has always been so passionate about local news, about serving communities and being the best.
    He’s also rather unique…
    I’ll never forget walking into his office at the Nottingham Post for the first time. There in a picture frame, where a picture of his family would usually be, was a picture of the Coventry City skipper Brian Kilcline holding aloft the FA Cup!
    Neil made good journalists better, and so many have gone onto great jobs because of what he taught them. He was uncompromising in his high standards, but so many of his ex-staff have remained friends with him, which says a lot.

    Great news for the Derby staff that Steve is taking over. He’s Derby through and through.

    Report this comment

    Like this comment(11)
  • April 22, 2016 at 9:38 am
    Permalink

    Neil’s one of the good ‘uns, always ready to honestly defend what he believes in. Only he knows his detailed reasons for departing. And it’s typical of him to keep them to himself, and to leave head held high. Best wishes in ‘life after’, Whitie: I think you’ll love it.

    Report this comment

    Like this comment(5)
  • April 22, 2016 at 9:45 am
    Permalink

    The Trinity Mirror brain drain continues and yet, apart from some minor activity on the fringes, nothing much appears to have changed in the senior commercial structure. So, I think we can all deduce what priority HQ and their roving execs really give to editorial quality and standards. And who is steering the handcart.

    Report this comment

    Like this comment(8)
  • April 22, 2016 at 9:49 am
    Permalink

    Steve and Neil were a dynamic team who were both instrumental in making the DT a great newspaper. Neil is an action man who will do well in his next venture. Can Trinity Mirror afford to lose people of Neil’s ilk?

    Report this comment

    Like this comment(4)
  • April 22, 2016 at 11:15 am
    Permalink

    The Derby Telegraph struck me as a proper city daily in my brief spell sparring with their staff, as a press officer with the local council – which would have been under Mr Hall’s previous tenure, I think.
    Amid a dying industry four years ago it put council members and officers under rigorous daily scrutiny and, unlike the Express & Star – which broke an embargo during my time at Walsall – played the game by the rules. Mind you, it’s star local government correspondent departed some time ago.

    Report this comment

    Like this comment(2)
  • April 22, 2016 at 11:15 am
    Permalink

    Trinity Mirror’s extinction of the species of editors – by fair means or foul – seems to be gathering pace.

    Report this comment

    Like this comment(4)
  • April 22, 2016 at 11:16 am
    Permalink

    Is there anyone in the know who can tell us what’s actually going on behind the scenes to prompt this exodus?

    Report this comment

    Like this comment(7)
  • April 22, 2016 at 11:34 am
    Permalink

    Ladies and gentlemen, the next dance is the Trinity Mirror Soft Shoe Shuffle.

    I bet it’s hard to get a partner for that particular dance.

    Report this comment

    Like this comment(2)
  • April 22, 2016 at 11:48 am
    Permalink

    Anyone in any of the larger regional press groups with the word ‘editor ‘ anywhere in their job titles better watch their backs,editors these days are becoming a very rare and endangered species.

    Might just as well put a target on their backs

    Report this comment

    Like this comment(9)
  • April 22, 2016 at 11:48 am
    Permalink

    “The recent editorial departures are separate individual decisions,” says a TM mouthpiece. Well, yes, of course, but it’s a bit odd they have all come at once – and from employees with such long service records. Still, that’s the end of it now as any further “individual decisions” along these lines would be straining the credulity of an inherently sceptical profession.

    Report this comment

    Like this comment(3)
  • April 22, 2016 at 12:31 pm
    Permalink

    I’m sure all of those departing their respective posts have been given cover stories for them leaving and will stick to them as part of their redundancy packages.

    Report this comment

    Like this comment(6)
  • April 22, 2016 at 12:37 pm
    Permalink

    Luka: it’s quite simple. TM bosses have come in, explained the reductions in editorial budgets needed to meet their spurious targets in order to persuade the City that the Local World purchase was a “good thing”. Add to that some rather ridiculous memos from the HQ zealots regarding activity needed to pursue the fateful Digital First strategy and you have a clear outline of where TM is taking newspaper brands which could have a future if they were managed properly and not for short term gain. Those with any honour or integrity or, to be frank, whose economic circumstances allow them to, have jumped ship.

    Report this comment

    Like this comment(10)
  • April 22, 2016 at 1:00 pm
    Permalink

    Sorry to hear you’re going Neil, but think of all those extra films you’ll now be able to get to!
    As Dick Minim says, it is somewhat stretching belief when the company says “The recent editorial departures are separate individual decisions.” Unless they’re referring to deciding on the size of the separate individual redundancy/severance packages.
    But to quote Mr Dyson, there’s plenty of life to be found after regional newspapers.

    Report this comment

    Like this comment(2)
  • April 22, 2016 at 1:52 pm
    Permalink

    I’m over here if the last one out of Trinity Mirror would like to switch me off……

    Report this comment

    Like this comment(3)
  • April 22, 2016 at 2:10 pm
    Permalink

    Yeah, that’s right, three editors slinging their hooks in the space of a week is purely a coincidence. Presumably they’ve taken the money and run. Good on them and I wish them well but let’s not give any credence to this TM hogwash. They’re cutting senior jobs and they’ll be doing it for many months to come.

    Report this comment

    Like this comment(2)
  • April 22, 2016 at 3:35 pm
    Permalink

    I don’t really understand why people think editors’ posts are being culled when the Leicester and Cambridge positions are being advertised on this very site.

    Report this comment

    Like this comment(2)
  • April 22, 2016 at 4:32 pm
    Permalink

    Gosh – some good people exiting trinity just now. Meanwhile not so much news on the New Day. I wonder what Mr Fox will tell his AGM on May 5 about how it’s all panning out?

    Report this comment

    Like this comment(3)
  • April 22, 2016 at 4:39 pm
    Permalink

    Roy Challis: might be worth comparing experience and salaries of those going with experience and salaries of those coming. Independent editors v. junior ‘yes’ men might be what you find is happening…

    Report this comment

    Like this comment(6)
  • April 22, 2016 at 5:23 pm
    Permalink

    So much idle speculation on here from people who have left the industry. Sure, we’re all journalists and taught never to accept things at face value, but weren’t we all also taught to get our facts right? It’s a shame to see people like Harry Blackwood speaking with such authority on things they don’t know anything about.

    If you were reading comments like this under stories you’d written, or reading letters from readers along these lines, you’d be dismissing them as from the green pen brigade.

    Report this comment

    Like this comment(7)
  • April 22, 2016 at 9:15 pm
    Permalink

    I know as much as you, Harry. Which is clearly very little.

    Report this comment

    Like this comment(2)
  • April 23, 2016 at 12:04 am
    Permalink

    Neil – I’m desperately sad to see you leave the industry…which will be considerably poorer without you.
    When I think back to those halcyon days in the Nottingham newsroom I’m reminded of two things….first that I wish I knew back then that those golden days would not last and secondly how sad it is that almost all the people I most admired have now been lost from journalism.
    I wish you and your family the best and hope you find happiness and prosperity in your new life.

    Report this comment

    Like this comment(5)
  • April 23, 2016 at 6:38 am
    Permalink

    Methinks old scores being settled, just a thought?

    Report this comment

    Like this comment(0)
  • April 24, 2016 at 3:02 pm
    Permalink

    If a dedicated lifer like Neil is getting out, the game must be up. Always a joy to work with, a proper journo with a great news sense and a great sense of humour – and a fabulous person to share 18 holes with as well. Can’t say I blame you, Neil, but the industry will be the poorer for your departure.

    Report this comment

    Like this comment(3)
  • April 29, 2016 at 1:37 pm
    Permalink

    Cheers for everything Neil, and special thanks for showing faith in me back in the glory days at the Post and helping me in so many ways. I concur totally with all the nice stuff written about you above – a genuine nice guy, great manager of people and egos, and a rock solid newsman to boot. Can’t promise you won’t miss being at the heart of news every day; nothing beats the newsroom buzz when a big story is breaking…but there is definitely life after newspapers. The news industry’s loss.

    Report this comment

    Like this comment(5)