Manchester Evening News assistant, Robert Ridley, has left the paper – just two weeks after its editor announced his departure.
Ridley, who ended his 11 year career at the MEN on Friday, said he was leaving the paper to become a driving instructor.
Last month, MEN editor Paul Horrocks announced that he was leaving the paper to establish a media and communications agency.
Ridley said his departure was unrelated. He decided to end his 32 year newspaper career in May but agreed to stay on until October to help the paper through a period of transition.
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He said: “I’ve had a great life in newspapers, particularly at the MEN, but have decided the time is right to leave the industry and try something completely new.
“I’m planning to become a driving instructor, but you never know how things are going to work out and I suppose there’s always the chance I may end up returning to what I know.”
Ridley had been at the MEN since 1998, when he was appointed assistant news editor. He was appointed assistant editor in 2002.
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He started his career at the Stockport Advertiser in 1977. He became editorial director of the Advertiser Group ten years later.
He then went on to join Manchester Metro News as editor and director in 1990 before he moved to the MEN.
Ridley was also a founder member of the Press Complaints Commission, on which he served from 1990-1992.
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