Johnston Press has restructured its weekly operations in Yorkshire, meaning Jean MacQuarrie will now oversee titles that are 92 miles apart.
Ed Asquith has retired as editor of the Scarborough News after 15 years in charge, while John Kenealy has stepped down after six years in charge of the Halifax Courier.
Neither man will be replaced, with MacQuarrie, the group weeklies editor for Johnston Press Yorkshire, taking responsibility for the titles. That means she will oversee titles as far apart at Halifax and Whitby (the Gazette) – a distance of 92 miles.
James Mitchinson, editorial director for Johnston Press in Yorkshire, said: “We regret to announce that John Kenealy is to take early retirement.
“Previously editor of the Halifax Courier, the Wakefield Express, the Dewsbury Reporter Series, the Pontefract and Castleford Express and other weekly titles in West Yorkshire, John is a newspaper man through and through, and has led the digital transformation of the West Yorkshire weeklies news teams to great effect.
“He leaves with our grateful thanks and very best wishes for the future. Jean MacQuarrie, group weeklies editor for Johnston Press Yorkshire will assume responsibility for the titles previously edited by John with effect from today.”
A JP spokesman told Hold The Front Page: “With both John and Ed electing to take early retirement, the time was right to consolidate these roles and adapt our business to reflect modern working best practices.”
Prolific North contacted MacQuarrie for a comment but did not receive a reply.
