A second editorial boss has stepped down from his role at regional publisher Newsquest amid a series of organisational changes.

As previously reported on HTFP, Hereford Times editor John Wilson left his role at the start of the year following a reshuffle of editorial responsibilities in his area.

Now it has emerged that Chris Hatton, who was regional editor-in-chief covering the publisher’s South East titles, has also left the company.

The editor-in-chief role role has been axed with all editors in the South East now reporting to South East managing director Mike Harper instead of to Chris.

Chris, pictured, became editor-in-chief of the group’s South Essex titles and editor of the Echo in 2014 following the short-lived editorship of Colin Channon, who had taken over from long-serving predecessor Martin McNeil nine months earlier.

In 2017 he was promoted to regional editor-in-chief, with his role also encompassing the group’s titles in Colchester, London, Watford and Brighton.

Michael Adkins, who was a senior editor with the former Archant group which was taken over by Newsquest in 2022, later succeeded Chris as editor of the Southend Echo and Basildon Echo.

It is understood Chris left the business on New Year’s Eve.

Newsquest has not so far responded to requests for comment on the changes.