A regional daily editor has been made redundant weeks after new owners took over his title.

Newsquest has announced James Higgins, editor of Barrow-based daily The Mail and group editor at the CN Group, has left the business with immediate effect.

At the same time, Chris Story and Vanessa Sims have been promoted from associate editor to editor at their respective titles within the group.

Chris has been appointed editor of Carlisle daily the News & Star, and weekly title the Cumberland News, with immediate effect, while Vanessa takes on the same role at The Mail.

James Higgins

The CN Group was taken over by Newsquest in March, and a voluntary redundancy scheme has since been opened to staff working on its titles.

However, the company has previously indicated it intends to invest in reporting staff as well as upgrading CN’s technological infrastructure.

Said James: “It has been a huge privilege to work with a team of fantastically dedicated people over the last eight years.

“We have achieved so much – for the communities we serve, in holding those in power firmly to account, and through adapting to the ever-changing nature of our industry.

“So much has changed since the turn of the decade, and I’m proud to have been a part of a team which has embraced change – and in some cases defined it.

“There is something very special about the regional media and whatever the future may now hold, I will forever cherish my 18 years at the heart of an industry which is so very important to the fabric of our democracy.”

Mail journalist Amy Fenton today posted a tribute to James on Twitter, saying: “Genuinely devastated to be told our group editor, James Higgins, has been made redundant.

“A top editor, a great role model for any journalist, and a true leader. Will miss you boss. Good luck in whatever you do next.”

In a statement to staff Jonathan Lee, managing director at CN Group, said: “As you are all aware, we need to operate in a more efficient manner if we are to return CN Group to a secure financial footing.

“James has been hugely committed during his time with the company and I would like to place on record my thanks for his efforts.”

James joined The Mail as deputy editor in 2010 from the Bolton News, where he had been assistant editor, and has also worked for the Blackpool Gazette, Lancashire Evening Post and Oldham Advertiser.

He was promoted to its editorship in 2014, and was last year made group editor for the CN Group.

Earlier in 2017 he had overseen a change of name at the newspaper, which was previously known as the North West Evening Mail.

During his time with CN Group, James and his team have won a number of industry awards. CN Group’s news brands are shortlisted for 13 accolades at this year’s Regional Press Awards.

New CN Group editors Chris Story and Vanessa Sims

Chris began his career at the Dumfriesshire Newspaper Group in 1999, and has worked for CN in Carlisle since 2004 in roles including senior reporter, deputy news editor and head of content.

Vanessa began her career at the Accringotn Observer in 2007 and later moved to the Lancashire Telegraph, where she was crime reporter.

She spent seven months at Blackpool daily The Gazette, before returning to the Telegraph as deputy news editor in 2014.

Vanessa later became news editor before moving to The Mail in February this year.