One of Reach plc’s most senior editorial executives has decided to leave the publisher after 14 years, it has been announced.

Ed Walker, who currently holds the position of audience and content director (audience delivery), is credited with having played a key role in transforming the company’s newsrooms to a digital-first operation.

His roles have included editor-in-chief of hyperlocal platform InYourArea and more recently working on the company’s US launches and also overseeing our video and podcasts strategy in an interim capacity.

In the course of his career with Reach he has also led its central editorial team, launched its network content team (Tendendo) and created late newsdesk service Night Owl, supporting regional titles with evening publishing.

Ed first joined the company in 2010 as part of WalesOnline’s digital team and has spent time in almost all of its newsrooms.

His last day at Reach will be Friday, 30th June.

Ed said: “Thank you to everyone who has made my time at Reach such an incredible experience. I have chosen to leave as it’s time for me to have a reset, both personally and professionally.

“I will always be thankful for the support, friendship, generosity and creativity my colleagues in all departments at Reach have shown over the years.

“I’ve been lucky to be able to work with dozens of newsrooms across the country throughout that time and learn from the best in the business about all the different types of journalism through good times and tough times.

“I wish everyone at Reach all the very best with the years to come and I’m looking forward to seeing what comes in the next chapter for me. I know I’ve had a first-class grounding in all things media, journalism and business to take with me from my time here.”

Editorial director Live network Paul Rowland said: “It says it all about Ed’s contribution to what is now the Live Network that there’s literally never been a regional digital operation at Reach that he hasn’t been a central part of.

“Ed’s fingerprints are across so much of what we do today, and the huge scale of the audiences that we reach today are in no small part due to his unwavering commitment, drive and passion for local and regional digital journalism.

“On a personal level, I’ve worked closely with Ed since he arrived in the Cardiff office to launch a new hyperlocal news operation for Cardiff and has been a constant and trusted support, sounding board and ally over the years since.

“He’ll be greatly missed by many people at Reach.”

Chief digital publisher David Higgerson added: “Ed’s contribution to our digital journey so far can’t be overstated. From leading our first digital-only brand in Reading through to spearheading In Your Area’s first growth acceleration, Ed has helped shape the digital journalism we do across the business in so many ways.

“Whatever he chooses to do next he will be hugely successful at and I’d like to place on record our thanks for the 13 years of innovation, determination and passion for journalism he has display”