Manchester Evening News editor Maria McGeoghan has decided to step down from her role after 14 years with the paper.
Rob Irvine will take over the role of editor of the Manchester Evening News and editor-in-chief of the MEN Media titles, moving from his current position as editor of the Daily Post in North Wales, as well as taking on a wider regional editorial responsibility for Huddersfield.
McGeoghan said: ‘This has been a really difficult decision for me to make as I am exceptionally proud of the MEN Media team and everything we have achieved together, but feel the time is now right for me to go.
‘I leave with very fond memories and a wish for the business to go from strength to strength as it repositions itself in this digital age. My successor will not find a more dedicated or talented newsroom.”
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McGeoghan joined the MEN as assistant editor in 1998. She was appointed deputy editor in 2006 and became acting editor in October 2009, before being made editor in March 2010. Before joining the MEN, she held a number of senior editorial jobs at the Liverpool Echo.
Irvine grew up in Stockport and joined the Warrington Guardian as a reporter in 1987. He worked for the Derby Evening Telegraph, Bradford Telegraph & Argus and the Liverpool Echo before joining the Daily Post in 2005.
He said: ‘I have thoroughly enjoyed my time in North Wales and would like to thank my colleagues for all their hard work in driving the continuing success of the Daily Post Wales and its sister titles and websites.
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‘My move to Manchester offers great new challenges. I feel honoured and privileged to be given the opportunity to edit the Manchester Evening News, a newspaper which I grew up with and which I have always admired. Similarly, I know the MEN weeklies are very committed to the communities they serve and I look forward to supporting their future development.’
Steve Anderson Dixon, managing director of Trinity Mirror North West and Wales, said: ‘I’m naturally disappointed at Maria’s decision as she is an exceptional editor with an ability to lead and inspire the newsroom, and she will be greatly missed. I would like to wish her all the very best for the future.
‘I’m delighted that Rob will be taking over at the helm of MEN Media. He is an accomplished and proven editor who offers a tremendous amount of experience. He has done an excellent job with the Daily Post and I wish him all the best in his new role as editor-in-chief of the MEN and its portfolio of weekly titles.’
Irvine’s departure has led to a restructure of Trinity’s senior editorial team in Wales.
Wales Online and Wales on Sunday editor Alison Gow replaces Irvine as the new Daily Post editor, and Ceri Gould has been promoted to Wales Online editor. Simon Farrington has been named the new WoS editor.
Gow, who was previously executive editor (digital) and deputy editor of the Liverpool Daily Post, said: ‘Editing Wales on Sunday and WalesOnline has been a brilliant experience; I got to work with and learn from some of the best people in the business. Plus Wales won the Grand Slam – you can’t ask for much more.
“I’m delighted to be joining the Daily Post; it’s a great title, both online and in print, with a strong tradition of excellent journalism, and a real understanding of the community it serves.
‘I’m looking forward to being a part of that and, of course, to living in such a beautiful area of the country.”
The announcement comes in the same week that Trinity cut two of its divisional managing directors, Bob Cuffe at North-East subsidiary ncjMedia, and Warren Butcher from the North West and North Wales division.
Last year Dixon become managing director for its North West and Wales businesses and Simon Edgley took over responsibility for the South, Midlands and North-East.
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