An editor has been appointed to run five regional news titles after his predecessor was promoted to a director role with their publisher.

Richard Duggan has been unveiled as editor of Cambridgeshire Live, Essex Live and Herts Live by Reach plc after Alan Woods was appointed niche brands director at the company.

Richard, pictured, will also be responsible for the Bedfordshire Live and Peterborough Live titles, which were launched by Reach on Monday, in his new role.

He had most recently been serving as acting editor of Reach’s Surrey Live and Hampshire Live, whose permanent editor Deanne Blaylock is on maternity leave until next month.

Announcing his appointment on Twitter, Richard said: “Really looking forward to this new challenge and the opportunity to work with more incredibly talented journalists in the South East.

“I’m very sad to say goodbye to the Surrey Live and Hampshire Live teams – they’re hardworking, passionate and incredibly lovely.

“The fantastic growth of both websites in 2020 is down to their determination, skill and love of regional digital journalism.”

Richard began his career with Reach at Essex Live in 2017 and was promoted to news editor there the following year.

In 2019, he became content editor for courts at MyLondon before taking the reins at Surrey Live last January.

Group executive editor for digital development Paul Gallagher will be acting editor at Surrey Live and Hampshire Live following Richard’s move.

Praising Richard’s appointment, Alan said: “Delighted my websites will be in the best hands going forward.

“I can’t wait to see what comes next for each of them with the brilliant Richard Duggan at the helm.”

HTFP has approached Reach for further information on what Alan’s new role entails.

Last week Alan posted an appeal on Twitter for freelance writers with “fantastic local knowledge” in Liverpool, Manchester, Cornwall, Devon, London, the Lake District, Peak District and Wales to “work on an exciting project”.