Toby is currently Group Editor of Newsquest Dorset which includes the Dorset Echo and the Daily Echo in Bournemouth.
Henry Faure Walker, Chief Executive of Newsquest said: “This exciting new appointment is an important part of our editorial plans as we seek to continually improve and innovate the way we publish the best local content both in print and online. Toby has a strong track record and the right experience to be a great fit for this role which will see him work closely with our dedicated editorial teams across the country.”
Toby said: “I am delighted to have been given this fantastic opportunity. These are challenging but exciting times for regional media. Clearly the future is multi-platform and we need to transform our newsrooms so we can provide the highest quality content first, fast and best.”
Toby started his career in journalism 25 years ago on the Sunday People. At the age of 26, he became Editor of The Wharf, which was named Free Weekly Newspaper of the Year at the UK Regional Press Awards during his tenure.
He joined Newsquest in 2002 as Editor of the Wiltshire Times, which won the Newspaper Society’s Weekly Newspaper of the Year under his editorship. Following roles as Assistant Editor and then Deputy Editor of the Oxford Mail, he became Editor of the Dorset Echo in 2009. In his first year as Editor it was the best performing daily title in the UK when newspaper sales increased by 2.1%.
Toby was then appointed Group Editor of both the Dorset Echo and Bournemouth Daily Echo in 2011, shortly before being named Newsquest’s Editor of the Year. During his editorship the Daily Echo has been awarded EDF Energy’s Daily Newspaper of the Year in 2013 and the number of monthly combined visitors on Newsquest Dorset’s websites has trebled to 1.2m, says Newsquest.
Toby will commence his role on 16th of February and will report to Gavin Steacy, Regional Managing Director Wales, Gloucestershire and Midlands South. The role will initially be a 12 month secondment.
