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Editors to bow out after roles axed in restructure

Michelle LalorTwo Trinity Mirror editors are set to leave their posts as part of an ongoing restructure by the regional publisher.

As previously reported by HTFP, the editor roles at the Grimsby Telegraph and Lincolnshire Echo are disappearing in a major shake-up at the company which is seeing 78 jobs lost and 44 new ones created.

It means that Michelle Lalor, left, editor of the Grimsby Telegraph and Scunthorpe Telegraph, and the Lincolnshire Echo’s Charles Walker are set to leave the business.

Hull Daily Mail editor Neil Hodgkinson will retain overall editorial oversight for the three Lincolnshire titles in his role as editor-in-chief for Humber and Lincolnshire, but HTFP understands he will not be in charge of running them on a day-to-day basis.

TM has declined to comment further while Michelle and Charles remain in their posts, but Press Gazette has reported Michelle as stating her papers would “now move forward with no editor” in an email to staff.

The email adds: “In both towns, the teams are hard-working and dedicated – I have led change and they have accepted it and supported me and I am ever grateful for that.

“Sadly the Telegraphs in both towns now move forward with no editor, a person who has been so vital over the years in setting the tone for the towns, which are still true communities.

“While we must all embrace change, we must never lose that fight! Thank you for the good times… a truly sad end to a wonderful career.”

Michelle has spent almost 30 years in newspapers, most of which were in the Grimsby and Scunthorpe newsrooms.

Charles has been in permanent charge of the Echo since 2015, and previously served as acting editor when the role’s previous holder Mel West was on maternity leave.

5 comments

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  • February 17, 2017 at 3:16 pm
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    A shameful way to treat an Editor who has given her heart and soul to The Grimsby Telegraph . A shameful way to treat a newspaper that has had an editor in the town for over a century too. The once wonderful Grimsby Telegraph now ‘edited’ from Hull……..who would have believed it. Best of luck Michelle, they don’t deserve you.

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  • February 17, 2017 at 5:13 pm
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    “move forward with no editor”. No chance. Take a look at those titles that do not have one. So many look sloppy and unprofessional.
    The culls continue.

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  • February 17, 2017 at 6:28 pm
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    Most papers without an editor ( and I don’t include the yes men moved into ‘group editor’ yes sir no sir roles ) are in their death throes and will move forward further dumbing down so these two very experienced people are better off out of it and can watch the further erosion of these titles from a safe distance. It’s just sad that TM have so little regard for the communities these papers cover as to not to bother with them anymore, good message to give to local people and potential advertisers

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  • February 20, 2017 at 3:14 pm
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    If a paper doesn’t have an editor, who is accountable to the bosses, public complaints, PCC, and most importantly, the judge who may call a paper out when they make an error on reporting a case. Who do the staff speak to if they have a greavance?
    Why anyone would step up as managing content editor or similar job name for a few pennies more if they are lucky?

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  • February 20, 2017 at 5:21 pm
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    Dave S
    Too many easily impressed journos are accepting the role of ‘editor’ or one of its many derivatives, just for the falsely perceived kudos of the title without fully appreciating or even bothering to ask what the role entails,
    Maybe they should have read the actual small print to understand what the responsibilities of the job might be.
    If times were better in the industry and theoaoers were buoyant and had futures,would they be appointed to the position I wonder ?
    I think we all know the answer to that one

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