An editor is leaving a group of weekly newspapers after being poached to take charge of a rival title.

André Langlois has announced he will be leaving Newsquest weeklies the Islington Gazette, Hackney Gazette, Hampstead & Highgate Express and the Brent & Kilburn Times in order to edit National World’s London World website.

André, pictured, has run the former Archant titles in North London since October 2019 and will take up his new role in January.

His appointment comes after previous London World editor Ralph Blackburn, who had run the site since its launch in September last year, left to become head of news at its national sister title NationalWorld.com.

Announcing his departure on Tuesday, André posted on Twitter: “After three years, I’m leaving the Ham & High, Islington and Hackney Gazettes and Brent & Kilburn Times.

“I’ve worked with some amazing journalists, and met brilliant people in the community, and I wish them well.  I’m thrilled to be taking over, in January, as editor of London World.”

André has previously held roles including head of print at the Surrey Advertiser and Archant’s Devon editor, where he had day-to-day oversight of the Exmouth Journal, Sidmouth Herald, Midweek Herald and North Devon Gazette.

The announcement of his departure comes days after it was revealed that two other editors of former Archant titles in or around the capital would be leaving their roles.

Matt Adams, editor of the Herts Advertiser, has left Newsquest “by mutual agreement” after 13 years in charge of the St Albans-based title, while Franki Berry, who ran the group’s East London weeklies, has quit her role to move to the Alps.

HTFP has approached Newsquest for information on André’s replacement.