Surrey and Hampshire editor Deanne Blaylock and Kent and Sussex editor Luke Jacobs have been given expanded regional editor roles, with Deanne overseeing the north and east and Luke the south coast and west. Luke continues in his role of New Audiences editor, which remains a key focus for the South East.
Under the changes, Lucy Thorne, currently editor of Berkshire, Oxfordshire, and Buckinghamshire will add Surrey to her portfolio.
And Hampshire, Kent and Sussex will report to the newly appointed South Coast editor who will be Ben Ashton. Ben is currently Sussex content editor.
Victoria Birch, currently north London and South Essex editor for Newsquest, joins as Breaking News and Trending editor and will oversee a new team. The new team will turbocharge the region’s breaking news capabilities, says Reach.
As previously announced, Norfolk and Suffolk editor Abigail Rabbett adds Cambridgeshire to her portfolio.
Lauren MacDougall was recently promoted to senior editor (customer) and will continue to drive Reach’s post publication and loyalty strategies.
The company is currently in the process of appointing a new editor for Essex, Herts, and Bedfordshire.
David Bartlett, audience and content director for the South East, said: “We look forward to 2022 with a strengthened management team and ready to deliver the best local journalism for our readers.
“These promotions and appointments are part of a wider set of changes as we continue to invest in the South East.
“Dee and Luke have been key members of the senior management team of the South East, and I’m really pleased they are taking on more responsibility as we continue to expand.
“I’m delighted to welcome Victoria to Reach - she brings a wealth of management and journalism experience and we look forward to working together.
“Lucy has successfully overseen two launches this year, and will bring those lessons to the Surrey newsroom as we continue to learn and adapt to changing reader interests and demands.
“Ben and Abi are fantastic talents and will take forward their brands with verve and energy as we continue to grow in the various market places they will oversee.”
“Our post publication activities have never been more important and Lauren has made an immediate impact in the few months she has been in post.”
“So in summary, we end 2021 with a huge sense of optimism and determination to really deliver the details for our readers and continue growing across all marketplaces, with a brilliant management team in place.”
David Higgerson, deputy group editor-in-chief at Reach, said: “With a number of new launches over the past two year, our editors in the South East have led the way in creating a positive future for local journalism in the region.
“Our journalism in the South East reaches more people than ever before, but we know we have to earn the attention of readers every single day, and the structure David is assembling in the region will allow our journalists to do that.”
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