The editor of the Bath Chronicle, Sam Holliday, has announced his departure from the paper, becoming the latest in a string of high-profile editor departures from publishers Northcliffe Media.
Holliday is leaving the company after six-and-a-half years as editor in chief of Bath News and Media, a role that also saw him edit the Somerset Standard and Somerset Guardian.
In 2007 he oversaw the transformation of the Bath Chronicle from a daily to weekly publication.
He said: “I have had a fantastic time working in the local newspaper industry and I have been privileged to work with some amazing people as well as for a company in Northcliffe, who have always been incredibly supportive.
‘I have reached a time where it is right for me to try something different, to forge a new path and to let someone else take on this exciting and challenging role.
“Of course I will miss the job and the buzz of producing our first class papers but I will miss the people most of all. I have been very lucky to work primarily in two lively and forward-thinking centres – Tamworth and Bath – and I have worked alongside hundreds of passionate, committed people over the years.”
Holliday began his career on his hometown newspaper, the Tamworth Herald, in 1983 as a news reporter, before progressing on to being editor of the Walsall Advertiser, the Tamworth Herald, and then group editor of Central Independent News. In 2005 he became editor-in-chief of Bath News and Media.
Sarah Pullen, managing director of Bath News and Media, said: “It has been a privilege to work with Sam over the past six years and during this time he has been absolutely committed and passionate about the development of our newspapers.
‘He has played a key part in transforming the Bath business and has been a strong link in joining both the business community and the public in changing the perception of our business. I will miss Sam very much and I wish him all the very best for the future.’
Holliday will leave on 1 June and Northcliffe said he will ‘play an active role in appointing his successor”.
Other editors who have recently left the company include Western Morning News editor Alan Qualtrough, the editor-in-chief of Northcliffe Media subsidiary Cornwall and Devon Media Andy Cooper, Nottingham Post editor Malcolm Pheby, Lincolnshire Echo’s Jon Grubb, Leicester Mercury’s Keith Perch, John Meehan from the Hull Daily Mail and Mark Astley from the Exeter Express & Echo.
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