Ian joined the newspaper earlier this year after being editor of the Citizen, Gloucester for ten years and later editor-in-chief of Gloucestershire Media and content director of Bristol, Gloucestershire, Somerset and Dorset.
Ian, who is 68, will work from February as a part time consultant editor to Bristol, Gloucestershire and the rest of the region concentrating on developing business and commercial partnerships.
Sarah Pullen, managing director of Bristol, Gloucestershire, Somerset and Dorset, said: "Ian is a great ambassador for the media industry who has a great energy and focus after 40 years in the business. It is a real privilege to work with him."
Mike Norton will take responsibility as senior editorial director for both Bristol and Bath and a new editor will be sought for the Western Daily Press.
Ian said: "I have thoroughly enjoyed my sixteen years with the group and helping to develop the teams of journalists who have worked with me. I was particularly proud of the team at The Citizen where we won the national newspaper of the year award twice.
"I have developed long standing commercial partnerships with customers, and this is an area I look forward to growing further."
