A regional editorial chief known as an “early pioneer for live reporting” online has died unexpectedly aged 64.

Tributes have been paid to Brett Gibbons, a regional content editor at Reach plc based in Birmingham.

Brett, pictured, also worked for the Birmingham Mail and its Birmingham Live sister website during his career where he “found a particular niche running live blogs as digital journalism came to the fore”.

Mail editor Graeme Brown described him as someone who was “trusted and much admired” in an obituary on the Birmingham Live site.

He said: “Brett worked for me in three different roles, and was always someone I could rely on. He was capable of being very fast and very accurate, and had a fantastic work ethic.

“But that is not why we’ll miss him. He was also a much-loved member of our newsroom. Brett had a lot of interests he shared with others – travel, dogs and football among them.

“He was a West Brom [football] fan, as am I, so we spent many a break discussing our latest defeat. I’ll miss him – we all will.”

Ed Walker, Reach’s interim audience and content director for audience growth, added: “Brett was always generous with his time and his knowledge, and was a big part of helping to develop our Network team that serves our regional titles up and down the country. We’ll miss you Brett.”

Brett was known for his love of travel and lived in Majorca for 10 years with his partner Karen, where he worked as a journalist for the Majorca Daily Bulletin before changing career for a time to become a holiday rep.

He returned to the United Kingdom and worked on national titles including the Daily Star, before returning to the West Midlands.

Brett then left for a spell in public relations and went on to become a reporter for the Weather Channel, later going back to Reach.

Brett had been with his Karen for 35 years and enjoyed holidays with her both in the UK and abroad, along with their collie dog Bryn.

His friend Andy Richardson, who accompanied Brett on a number of holidays, said: “I labelled Brett ‘Mr Magaluf’ because he knew everyone over there and had many friends in Majorca.

“He was much loved. We were welcomed everywhere we went.

“Brett was great company and so much fun. He had so many funny stories from his time as a journalist and holiday rep.

“You were guaranteed laughs with Brett. He knew how to enjoy life.”

Brett died on 29 September but his obituary was only published on Thursday.

His funeral will take place at Streetly Crematorium, near Walsall, at 12.15pm this Thursday.