A former newsdesk chief at a regional daily has stepped up to the top job at the weekly newspaper where he used to work.

Jon Ball has been unveiled as the new editor of the Mansfield Chad, where he served as head of content for four years in a previous spell with the paper.

Jon, pictured, joins the Chad after predecessor Ashley Booker left the role after five months in charge to take up a communications role with Nottinghamshire County Council in July.

Andy Done-Johnson, who has served as acting editor in Ashley’s absence, becomes the Chad’s deputy editor.

Jon has worked for Chad owner JPIMedia, and its forerunner Johnston Press, since 2011, serving in roles including deputy news editor of Sheffield daily The Star.

In a welcome editorial, he told readers he was “beyond honoured to be appointed editor of your Chad”.

Jon wrote: “The key word is your. I am merely the latest in a long line of custodians of a title which belongs to you, the reader.

I can promise the team and I will work our hardest to bring you the best Chad we can, packed full of news, features, sport and more, and building on the great work of previous editors such as Jeremy Plews, Tracy Powell, Phil Bramley and Ashley Booker – as well as Andy Done-Johnson who has been leading the team in the last few weeks and who, I am delighted to say, has accepted the position of deputy editor.

“I am a married father of four daughters, aged four to 12, and when I’m not taxiing them to one of their various classes, I can usually be found playing football (badly) or watching some sport, be it on TV or, preferably, in person.”

Jon began his career with Archant’s Norwich Advertiser and has also worked for titles including the Royston Crow, Cambridge News, Shropshire Star and Stoke-on-Trent daily The Sentinel in a number of different positions.

He added: “However, having spent more than four years as head of content at the Chad in the not-too-distant past, I am delighted to return to Mansfield and Ashfield, this time in the ‘big chair’.

“I have met hundreds of people living and working across this great region and I know together we can be force for the good of Mansfield and Ashfield.

“I have lots of ideas on how to improve our coverage – look out for more property and nostalgia in the coming weeks, for example – but I know you have too. And that’s why I want to hear from you.

“What do you want to read about, what should we campaign for? What do you think the Chad should be concentrating on? What are the issues that matter to you?

“Is it homelessness, public transport, developments or something else? And what do you think of the Chad, both in print and online, as a whole? What would you like to see more – or less – of? What could we do better?”

Announcing his new role in a Twitter post, Andy wrote: “I am delighted to be able to announce that, as of today, I am officially deputy editor of the Mansfield Chad.

“Looking forward to working with Jon Ball again and making a success of the next chapter.”