Sun associate editor for digital Gary Thompson has left News International after 19 years with the company to start his own press and PR agency.
Thompson worked for the News of the World in a variety of jobs after joining in 1993 and was latterly focused on the digital side as senior associate editor.
He was made director of product development for both The Sun and the News of the World, a role in which he launched The Sun's iPad app, and since 2010 he had been associate editor (digital) of The Sun.
He said: 'I'm proud of everything I achieved during my time in national newspapers and I can't wait to put my knowledge to good use in the business world."
Thompson has formed two companies, W1 Features Agency and GaryThompson Media, both of which will be based in Soho in Central London.
W1 Features will be a traditional press agency supplying the nationals, while Gary Thompson Media will act as a business-to-business media consultancy offering advice on public relations, digital strategy and media training.
He said his departure from NI has been an amicable one and he added that he is keen to hear from feature writers who may be looking for commissions.
Email pged@pressgazette.co.uk to point out mistakes, provide story tips or send in a letter for publication on our "Letters Page" blog