A weekly newspaper has lost its own dedicated editor following the apparent departure of its existing news chief.

It is understood that Jon Ball has left his job as editor of the Mansfield Chad after two years in charge, with no direct replacement set to be appointed.

Phil Bramley, who edits National World sister weekly the Derbyshire Times, is now listed as group editor on the Chad’s website.

Meanwhile Andy Done-Johnson, previously the paper’s deputy editor, has been promoted to the newly-created role of digital editor for Nottinghamshire, with responsibility for both the Chad and the Worksop Guardian.

It is the second time the Chad – once one of Britain’s biggest-selling weeklies – has lost its dedicated editor in the past seven years.  Between 2016 and 2021, it came under a group editor.

But in March 2021, it was one of five National World titles in the North Midlands and South Yorkshire to regain their own dedicated editor as part of the publisher’s then-policy of localising its journalism, which was subsequently rolled out in other regions too.

However, all five of those appointed at the time – including then-Chad editor Ashley Booker – later left their roles

Jon took over as Chad editor in August 2021 after Ashley acccepted a communications role with Nottinghamshire County Council, having had a previous spell as interim editor between 2015 and 2016.

Andy also had a spell as interim editor between Ashley’s departure and Jon’s appointment in 2021 before taking the deputy editor role.

Posting on X, he wrote: “Delighted to be able to announce that as of this week I have been promoted to digital editor for Nottinghamshire with National World, largely responsible for the Mansfield Chad and Worksop Guardian.”

Jon began his career with Archant’s Norwich Advertiser and has also worked for titles including the Royston Crow, Cambridge News, Shropshire Star and Stoke-on-Trent daily The Sentinel in a number of different positions.

He had worked for the Chad and its associated titles since 2011. HTFP has approached both Jon and the company for comment on his departure.