Edmunds: a wonderful challenge
Alan Edmunds, editor of Wales on Sunday since 1996, will move over to edit the morning Western Mail when Neil Fowler leaves in September.
Edmunds, 38, was previously an assistant editor on the Western Mail and an associate editor of the South Wales Echo. All three Trinity Mirror papers are published in Cardiff, where Edmunds joined the company as a trainee reporter on The Post series in 1986.
Born and raised in Cardiff, he has been successful in repositioning Wales on Sunday and is eager for his transfer to the centre’s flagship title.
"The Western Mail is a great paper with a great history," he said. "It has a crucial role to play in Wales and becoming editor will be a wonderful challenge for a passionate Welshman. Editing Wales on Sunday has given me huge enjoyment and I look forward to building on Neil Fowler’s achievements."
Western Mail & Echo managing director Keith Dye said Edmunds had built up a wealth of experience during his 16 years with the company and he is confident in his ability to continue the development of the Western Mail.
Fowler’s surprise resignation last week (Press Gazette, 19 July) came after eight years in the chair. For nine months last year he was joint managing director of the company, covering the secondment of the managing director.
Fowler said: "It is sad to be leaving, but eight years in a pressurised and high-profile role like this is enough for anyone. I leave the paper in the most profitable and stable condition in its history, which I think is a reasonable achievement.
"I have built up many contacts and links in my 17 years as an editor and I now look forward to converting those into a new direction to my career."
As well as editing the Mail, Fowler has been in the chair of The Journal, Newcastle, the Lincolnshire Echo and the Derby Evening Telegraph. In 1999/2000 he was the national president of the Society of Editors.
Dye said of Fowler: "I want to thank Neil for his efforts as the editor of one of our leading titles. He has been a terrific ambassador for this company and has represented it with professionalism and distinction.
"His drive and commitment have been excellent and have contributed greatly to the success of the company."
By Jean Morgan
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