Today, Reach announced that Express Editor-in-Chief Gary Jones has stepped down from his role, which he has held since 2018.
Gary joined the Mirror Group in 1996 and during his time at what was then Trinity Mirror, held numerous senior positions, including editor of The People and editor of the Sunday Mirror.
Since taking on the editorship at the Express in 2018, he oversaw a period of change for the title, with a greater emphasis on campaigning journalism, for example with a recent campaign to protect the pension triple lock, added Reach. Other highlights during his time include the Green Britain Campaign in 2021, as well as a 2021 domestic abuse campaign which resulted in a law change to better protect abuse victims in the court system. During his editorship, the Express also won a British Journalism Award for Campaign of the Year in 2020 for an 18-month-long Cystic Fibrosis drug campaign, which secured a deal to bring a more effective drug to the NHS, the publisher continued.
Gary said: “It’s been a privilege to have served the readers for so many years. Long may they continue to value and cherish the journalism we publish.
“I have tried my level best to continue in the great campaigning traditions of the Mirror and Express and would like to offer my appreciation to the colleagues, politicians, organisations and individuals who have shared my passion for bringing positive change.
“I’ve had the greatest of times, and felt fortunate to have met and collaborated with some of the most fascinating, inspirational and creative people, who have hugely enriched my career and life.”
Chief Digital Publisher David Higgerson commented: “Gary has been a respected colleague over many years and has played a pivotal role in the legacy of this title, spearheading a period of crucial change when he took the helm. We all wish him well as he takes his next steps.”
Reach has also announced that Tom Hunt, previously online editorial director at the title, has been appointed as the Express editor-in-chief, effective immediately.
Tom has been with the Express for more than eight years, holding a variety of senior roles, including video news editor, leading the title’s first team devoted to video, and head of news for the site.
More recently, as online editorial director, he has led several projects to boost digital engagement, leading the Express to double-digit year-on-year growth in July (Ipsos Iris), rare in a year when most news brands have been challenged digitally.
He has written and worked for several publications at a national and regional level, including the Independent, Eurosport and a stint as a local court reporter.
Tom said: “I’m honoured to be taking on this role and to build on what the team has already achieved. In the last year, the Express has infiltrated Just Stop Oil, shown how TikTok and Instagram are aiding Albanian people smugglers, captured the effects of a new drug destroying lives on Britain's streets, and exposed an ISIS terror plot to target Olympics and Wembley.”
“The Express has an unparalleled understanding of its audience - our readers are amongst the most engaged across any news brand as we saw just last week with the incredible response to our Winter Fuel campaign.
“There is a huge opportunity here which I’m excited to take further, both digitally and in print, particularly as we cover Labour’s first months in office and see out a Conservative leadership contest.”
David Higgerson added: “During Tom’s time leading the Express’s online
operation, he has overseen a period of impressive growth for the title,
refreshing its editorial approach and cementing its loyal online audience.
With his strong understanding of the digital landscape and passion for the
brand, we know he’s the right person to take the Express into the next phase
of its evolution.”
