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June 28, 2005updated 22 Nov 2022 3:53pm

Barrie Williams latest Northcliffe editor to leave

By Press Gazette

Award-winning editor Barrie
Williams is to leave the Western Morning News in Plymouth at the end of
July after 10 years in the post. Williams is the third long-serving
editor to announce that he is leaving Northcliffe Newspapers in the
past fortnight.
He said: “I have chosen to take early retirement
because of a major change of policy and structure within Northcliffe
Newspapers.
“I will always be grateful to Northcliffe for giving me the opportunity
to guide the Western Morning News through one of the most exciting and
challenging periods of its long and distinguished history and I have
loved doing it.
“I intend to carry on working and fighting for the West Country in
whatever capacity presents itself.”
Alan Qualtrough, editor of the Evening
Herald, will take on the new role of editor-in-chief of the morning and
evening titles in Plymouth, while continuing to edit the Herald. The
new editor of the Western Morning News will report to Qualtrough.
Williams follows Bath Chronicle editor David Gledhill and
Bristol Evening Post editor Mike Lowe who left Northcliffe last week. In Bristol, as in Plymouth, an
editor-in-chief, Mike Norton, has been appointed.
Norton will edit the Evening Post and the editor of sister-morning
title the Western Daily Press, Terry Manners, will report to him.
This has led to speculation that more editor-in-chiefs will be
appointed throughout Northcliffe leading to more departures of
experienced editors and consolidation of editorial staff.
Northcliffe
management and editors are being briefed this week by the company’s
managing director Michael Pelosi on its future strategy.

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