As reported by Mariella Brown on the Society of Editors website:
Pete Gavan — editor of the Swindon Advertiser — has been promoted to the newly-created role of regional group editor for Newsquest Oxfordshire and Wiltshire.
The appointment was made as current Oxford Mail & Oxford Times editor Samantha Harman announced she has decided to leave Newsquest to pursue her career as head of media for Oxford Brookes University. The changes will take effect from the start of November.
Samantha has been with the business for over ten years and during that time has risen through the ranks from a trainee reporter at the Dorset Echo to her current position of editor of the Oxford titles winning numerous accolades and awards along the way.
Julia Lancett, managing director for Midlands South, Oxfordshire, Wiltshire, Berkshire & Buckinghamshire, said: “I would like to thank Sam for the fantastic job she has done whilst working for Newsquest and directly with me, bringing positive change, along with championing some great causes and projects for the business and industry.”
On Pete’s appointment, Toby Granville, editorial director at Newsquest, said: “I’m delighted Pete is going to expand his role across the Oxfordshire region as he’s transformed Swindon into one of our leading digital sites across the group and I’m looking forward to seeing him have a similar impact at Oxford.”
Meanwhile, over at JPIMedia, Laura Collins has been confirmed as editor of the Yorkshire Evening Post following a successful stint as interim editor at the Leeds-based daily.
Under her editorship, the YEP launched its Call It Out Campaign in July asking readers to help call out online abuse suffered by its journalists and members of the public.
