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Former regional daily editor Murray to take helm at SoE

MurrayleavesA regional daily editor who recently stepped down from his role after 19 years is to take charge of a leading industry body.

Ian Murray, left, who was editor in chief of the Southern Daily Echo until earlier this year, is to become deputy executive director of the Society of Editors, it was confirmed today.

Ian, who has a career of almost 40-years in journalism and is a Past President of the Society, will take the helm of the SoE while the executive director, Bob Satchwell, is recovering from illness.

His role will include taking charge of the Society’s permanent staff and ensuring the organisation continues its work in defending and promoting media freedom among other issues.

Said Ian: “I’m deeply honoured to be taking up this post at this time, although it is under sad circumstances,” said Ian who stepped down from his post as Editor in Chief of the Southampton-based Daily Echo in March of this year after 19-years at the helm.

“Our free press remains under constant threat and there has never been a time when the role of the Society of Editors has been more important.

“I am looking forward to working with our more than 400 members from across the wide spectrum of the media industry, including both national and regional newspapers, magazines, broadcast and digital media.”

The Society recently staged the prestigious annual National Press Awards and will be hosting the Regional Press Awards in May.

Ian began his career with Berrows Newspapers in the West Midlands and after working on weekly and daily newspapers in Birmingham and the Black Country, joined the newsdesk of the Daily Echo, Bournemouth eventually becoming its managing editor.

He was appointed editor of the Southern Daily Echo in 1998 and later added a number of weeklies to his portfolio as Newsquest’s editor in chief for Hampshire, Berkshire and Buckinghamshire.

Ian joined the Society of Editors at its founding in 1999 and has been a member of its board since 2010. He also sits on the Editors’ Code Committee which oversees the industry’s Code of Practice.

Ian can be contacted at [email protected] or on 07875 547 592.

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  • April 10, 2017 at 2:59 pm
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    Wishing Bob a full recovery. He is a very decent man – Martin Edmunds.

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