Newsquest’s The Northern Echo has made 2 new appointments as the newspaper prepares for “one of the most significant periods of growth in the title’s 151 year history.”
Next month, Mike Hughes joins the paper as its first Business & Commercial Editor. This coincides with the arrival in Darlington of teams from the Treasury and the Department for International Trade.
Hughes has more than 40 years of experience at all levels of regional journalism and is currently Reach’s Commercial Audience Editor for the North-East and Yorkshire.
He is joined by Digital Sports Journalist, Matthew Jones, who currently covers Middlesbrough and Hartlepool for BBC Radio Tees.
“It’s a really exciting time for the Echo and the North-East generally – and I’m delighted to announce these key appointments today,” said Holbrook.
“Both Mike and Matthew bring with them incredible skill and passion, which I have no doubt will help us cement our position as the premier news brand of the North.
“We’ve been a vocal mouthpiece for businesses in Darlington and across the Tees Valley for more than 150 years. To keep working with them and giving them the sort of support, coverage and insight they deserve we need to bring in people with the level of experience, management skills and delivery that Mike has been known for wherever he has worked. There aren’t many journalists around with his understanding of the business and commercial aspects of media so we’re really looking forward to seeing what he can bring to the Echo as we lead the conversations around the Levelling Up agenda.
“Likewise, our sport coverage must change with the times and Matthew’s appointment from the BBC will bring with it a new impetus and the sort of audio and visual skills that will open up exciting new opportunities for us. I can’t wait to see what he will bring to the role.
“They will both be joining at an exciting time for us as we lift the lid on our ambitious growth plans.”
The appointments follow the promotion of Hannah Chapman, who is now Weeklies Editor overseeing the Darlington & Stockton Times, Northern Farmer and Durham Advertiser titles.
