An editorial chief is set to leave a regional daily after three decades of service.

Paul Coates has announced he will bid farewell to the Manchester Evening News, where he has worked since 1992, at the end of November.

Paul, pictured, held roles including news sub-editor, assistant chief sub and deputy chief sub at the MEN before being appointed chief sub in 2004.

Since then, he has served as assistant editor, production editor and managing editor of the newspaper.

More recently, he was promoted to head of print for Reach plc in the North-West of England, overseeing print production at the MEN, Liverpool Echo, Huddersfield Daily Examiner and a dozen weeklies across the region.

Said Paul: “I’ve had a fabulous three decades at the Manchester Evening News and enjoyed the good fortune of working with brilliant and supportive editors – from Mike Unger, Paul Horrocks, Maria McGeoghan and Rob Irvine, to Darren Thwaites.

“Also along the way, I learned at the knee of some great journalists and subs – Brian Rhodes, Jon Whitaker, Dave Manson, Dave Graham, Bob Carson, Jim Lord and Keith Piper – to name but a few.

“And a special mention for Eamonn O’Neal, who taught me the managing editor ropes.

“Thank you, too, to the North West print team for all their dedication and skill over the last few years, especially to Sue Lee and the assistant heads of print, Paul Smith, Chris Ostick, Barrie Mills, Tom Evans, Nick Smith and Gareth Tidman.

“So, in a blink of an eye, 1992 has become 2022. It’s been a great way to earn a living but it’s now time to do other things.”

Paul started his career on the Halifax Evening Courier and then moved to the Bradford Telegraph & Argus. He then had a spell in Australia and New Zealand before joining the MEN.

He has since played a lead role in some of the biggest moments in the title’s history, including special editions produced in the immediate aftermath of the Manchester Arena bomb in 2017 and a Sunday edition in 1997 produced hours after the death of Princess Diana in Paris.

Reach marketplace publisher for the North West Darren Thwaites said: “Paul has provided very able and loyal support to many editors over many years.

“I have hugely enjoyed his companionship and have often sought his wise counsel during my time in the chair.

“He’s a proper newspaperman at heart but he has also enabled our incredible digital growth in Manchester by allowing content teams to serve online audiences without compromise, always ensuring our newspaper output remained in very safe hands.”