The deputy editor of the Shropshire Star is to leave the paper this week – days it was revealed that he had not been promoted to the editorship.
Jon Simcock, who has been deputy of the regional daily for 11 years, was reportedly interviewed for the vacancy after former editor Keith Harrison left to join the Express & Star.
Last week publisher Midlands Newspaper Association announced the job had been given to 36-year-old Martin Wright, who currently associate editor at NWN Media, which includes the Leader series and covering Wrexham, Flintshire and Chester.
MNA managing director Phil Inman emailed staff on Friday saying: “Jon Simcock has decided to leave the business in order to pursue other opportunities.
“He will leave on Friday 15 March. Jon has worked for Shropshire Newspapers since 1989 and for the past 11 years has combined the roles of deputy editor and news editor of the Shropshire Star.
“Jon leaves with our best wishes for the future.”
Simcock had been expected to edit the paper until Wright’s arrival on 6 May. Following his departure, however, MNA will instead bring in Express & Star executive editor Mark Drew to manage the paper.
Inman added: “Mark will work alongside Keith Harrison for two weeks and then edit the title for a period of five weeks between March 30 and May 4.
“Mark will then support the new editor Martin for six weeks from May 6.”
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