AddThis SmartLayers

Editor leaves weekly after 10 months in charge as predecessor returns

A weekly’s long-serving former editor is returning to the post after his successor announced she will be leaving the newspaper after 10 months in charge.

Emily Pearce, who became the first female editor in the history of the Isle of Wight County Press in April 2019, has announced her departure from the title to take up a new job outside of the regional press.

At the time of her appointment, Emily’s predecessor Alan Marriott moved to a different role focusing solely on the commercial side of the business.

However Alan, who was editor for 12 years from 2007-2019, is now returning to the role when Emily leaves on 14 February.

Emily Pearce, left, and Alan Marriott

Emily Pearce, left, and Alan Marriott

Emily, who was born and brought up on the island and first joined the County Press in 2007, told HTFP: “I’ve absolutely loved working at the Isle of Wight County Press.

“I joined the paper as a trainee 12 years ago and was very proud to be appointed the first female editor.

“I’ve worked with some incredible journalists over the years, who taught me the importance of holding those in power to account and speaking up for the Island community.

“I will miss it very much, but I’m excited to take up a new role in a completely different sector and I know the paper will be in safe hands under previous editor Alan Marriott.”

Alan paid tribute to Emily ahead of her departure, saying: “She is one of the best journalists I have worked with and adapted well to the post of editor.

“She showed great determination in improving our online page impressions to a huge extent.

“I will be looking to drive forward our print and digital audiences to ensure we continue to be Britain’s best-read weekly paper. We continue on our mission to provide seven-day-a-week news coverage online and a strong paper on a Friday.

“The County Press has been around for 136 years and as I joined in the centenary year, I am very well aware of its significance to Islanders.”

The title was independently owned until July 2017 when it was bought by regional publishing giant Newsquest.

6 comments

You can follow all replies to this entry through the comments feed.
  • January 29, 2020 at 10:53 am
    Permalink

    No finer editorial ambassador for the legendary IWCP than Alan Marriott . . . an impossible act to follow.

    Report this comment

    Like this comment(2)
  • January 29, 2020 at 11:01 am
    Permalink

    Funny how all these Newsquest editors are moving on, but none seem to actually say what job they will be doing!

    Report this comment

    Like this comment(26)
  • January 29, 2020 at 11:33 am
    Permalink

    Leaving after ten months with the previous editor returning from switching to a commercial role only ten months ago ?

    There’s a real story in there somewhere

    Report this comment

    Like this comment(39)
  • January 29, 2020 at 1:45 pm
    Permalink

    Yes, why the secrecy over what she’s doing next? I’d like to know.

    Report this comment

    Like this comment(19)
  • January 29, 2020 at 2:13 pm
    Permalink

    Perhaps the editorship wasn’t for Emily or it wasn’t all it was cracked up to be, in which case I would have thought she might step back to her former editorial role rather than leave the company altogether?
    The piece also reads like she is leaving immediately rather than the usual 3 month notice period which would take her to mid April or if she is leaving now and gave the standard notice period would mean Emily decided to quit after just 7 months.
    Similarly it seems odd that the former editor decides, or has it decided for him, to leave the commercial side of things and go back to the role he was doing less than a year previously.
    All rather confusing

    I wish both of them well

    Report this comment

    Like this comment(22)
  • February 7, 2020 at 3:49 pm
    Permalink

    Maybe it’s another troubled Newsquest title looking for more cutbacks. Often there’s great pressure on surviving staff and morale suffers. The County Press used to be one of the best comprehensive coverage locals in the UK. Hope Emily finds greater happiness.

    Report this comment

    Like this comment(3)