Burton Mail editor Kevin Booth (pictured) is to take over at the Leicester Mercury following the resignation of Richard Bettsworth, who leaves the title after 14 years.
Bettsworth joined the Mercury as news editor in 2000 and has been editor for three years.
Bettsworth, whose last day is on Friday, said: “I have loved every minute of my time on the Mercury and feel immensely proud and privileged to have had the opportunity to edit such a great title and serve such a great city as Leicester.
“It’s been a tough decision to leave a job which I’ve enjoyed so much, but I believe that this is the right time for me to move on and seek a new challenge.
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“The team in Leicester is outstanding and I would like to thank them all for their loyalty, support and commitment to the paper.”
Bettsworth is to be replaced by Booth, who has been a regional editor since 2000, when he took over at the Peterborough Evening Telegraph.
He has also worked at the York Evening Press, Derby Telegraph, Stoke Sentinel, Bristol Post, Birmingham Mail and, most recently, the Burton Mail.
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He said: “The last five years in Burton have been extremely rewarding, with the paper continually punching above its weight both in terms of its newspaper sales performance and its campaigning stance.
“Our success in last year’s ABCs was down to the hard work and commitment of a small, but dedicated team and the fact the sales trend has continued this year is clear evidence it was no fluke.
“However, the chance to edit the Mercury is one I can’t resist. I am genuinely excited by the prospect of working with its staff to grow its online and print audience and further enhance its role in the wider community.”
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