A newsdesk chief who helped launch a regional publisher’s American expansion is leaving the company for a new job.

Gemma Sherlock has announced her departure from Reach plc, where she has worked for both regional and national titles over the past five years, to join Liverpool-based public relations agency We are Pink.

Gemma, pictured, most recently served as deputy news editor at the Daily Mirror, where she has worked on the title’s launch in the United States.

She has also spearheaded campaigns related to mental health awareness, having written for the Liverpool Echo in 2019 about how her own experiences with chronic anxiety and depression, as well as a past suicide attempt.

Gemma began her career on the Lancaster Guardian and Morecambe Visitor in 2014, moving four years later to become commercial content editor at the Echo.

From 2019 to 2021, she was a live news reporter at Cheshire Live and then had central roles as affiliate network content editor and consumer unit editor before taking up her most recent job earlier this year.

Gemma told HTFP: “I can’t wait to get started and can’t thank [We are Pink founder] Nicola Pink and her team enough for giving me this opportunity.

“The role will allow me to bring my journalism skills to the table to help others in the community and beyond, while also bringing exciting challenges and giving me opportunities to learn new skills.”

She added: “I spent a lot of time at Reach advocating for those struggling with mental health, including myself by setting up the podcast ‘No Really, I’m Fine’ and championing conversations around grief and bereavement leave after my mum passed away in 2021.

“I would like to thank everyone who has supported me and made my work life so enjoyable at Reach. I have loved working in this industry but it’s now time for a change – a change I am very much looking forward to.”