An editor who left Newsquest to join Archant 10 months ago has been made redundant after the company was taken over by his former employers.

Paul Jones, left, has announced his departure from Archant, where he has served as group editor of its South-West portfolio since October 2021.

Paul edited Newsquest weekly’s the Somerset County Gazette, Bridgwater Mercury, Burnham & Highbridge Weekly News and Chard & Ilminster News before taking up his present role.

Tim Lethaby was subsequently appointed to take over the Newsquest Somerset titles in November last year, but the publisher has declined to comment on who will be responsible for Paul’s current papers when he leaves his role.

Somerset is one of the areas in which the newly-merged companies both owned newspapers, although their print circulation areas there do not technically overlap.

Archant’s titles the Weston Mercury and North Somerset Times are based mainly around the north of the county, while Newsquest’s portfolio is based further south.

As well as the Mercury and the Times, Paul has also been responsible for Devon weeklies the Sidmouth Herald, Midweek Herald and Exmouth Journal in his most recent role.

He is the second senior editorial figure from Archant to be made redundant in the past week, following the departure of Andy Cooper as editor in chief of Archant’s South-West magazine titles as reported on HTFP yesterday.

Posting on Twitter, Paul wrote: “Well, my time has finally come. I have been made redundant from Archant/Newsquest.

“Of course, I’m sad I will no longer be serving the amazing Somerset communities I’ve dedicated the last seven years to – the place I have made my home.

“But I’m going to grasp this opportunity to seek new horizons and bring my skills and experience to something new.

“So, if anyone is on the lookout for a manager, editor, reporter, video and audio editor and communications expert with a proven track record of leading successful teams and producing award-winning content who is also, I like to think, a thoroughly nice chap, then please drop me a line.”

Other editorial leaders to have left Archant since Newsquest’s takeover earlier this year include the group’s editor-in-chief Jeremy Clifford and John Baker, who edited Peterborough Matters.