A senior journalist who took on the role of launch editor at two major digital titles has taken on a fresh challenge away from journalism.

Nick Mitchell, pictured, has left his position as National World’s group head of audience to join the petitioning campaign platform Change.org as its UK team leader.

Nick, who helped launch both inews.co.uk and NationalWorld.com, is now looking to use his experience in improving links between his new employers and media outlets across the country.

Having started his reporting career with The Scotsman in 2007, Nick became its deputy digital editor before playing a lead role in the launch of inews.co.uk, following Johnston Press’s acquisition of the i newspaper.

After eight years as head of content development for JPIMedia, he was appointed as the founding editor of NationalWorld.com, launched by David Montgomery as the first national news brand in over a decade.

Having recruited and trained a team of six senior editors and 25 journalists based across the country, Nick oversaw the development of one of the UK’s fastest growing websites as it reached 14m monthly users within its first year and its investigative and data journalism was shortlisted and won several awards.

However job cutbacks announced by the publisher earlier this year resulted in a number of those journalists leaving the title.

And in June, Nick moved into the role of group head of audience as former Sheffield Star editor Nancy Fielder took over as editor of NationalWorld.com.

Nick, who started his new role this week, admits the switch in career is going to throw up new challenges, but he is ready and eager to face them.

“I’m really excited to be joining a dynamic, mission-driven organisation like Change.org, where I’ll be leading the UK team to amplify the incredible impact petition starters are having across the country, whether their causes are of local, national or even global interest,” he said.

“After more than 15 years working in the media as a journalist and editor, this is certainly a new challenge for me, but I believe there are skills and experiences from working in fast-paced newsrooms and leading diverse, remote-first teams that I can bring to the table.

“Change.org has been active in the UK for over a decade, and many news publishers and broadcasters have successfully harnessed the platform for their own campaigns – this is an area I’m keen to explore and grow, working hand in hand with journalists and editors on compelling and inspirational stories that highlight the issues that really matter to people.”