Western Gazette editor Lynne Fernquest has been appointed editor of Northcliffe sister title the Bath Chronicle.
She takes over from Sam Holliday, the former editor who oversaw its conversion to from a daily to weekly paper in 2007.
Fernquest began her career in 1986 as a trainee reporter at the Newcastle Chronicle and Journal, and in 1993 she joined the South Wales Evening Post as sub-editor, later rising to assistant editor in 1995.
She became editor of the Western Gazette in 2010.
She said: ‘I am honoured to have been appointed editor of such a prestigious newspaper serving such a glorious city.
‘High-quality local journalism is at the heart of what we do and champions our local community. Joining such a fantastic team of journalists, salespeople and experts in multi-media is a really exciting prospect.’
Sarah Pullen, managing director of Northcliffe subsidiary Bath News and Media, added: ‘Lynne, over the last two years, has developed the Western Gazette with a new edition structure and real focus on local communities.
‘She has championed a joined up approach between newspaper sales and advertising with the emphasis on the team working as one. Lynne’s tenacity and creativeness will complement and enhance the team across the entire business.
‘I am looking forward to an exciting new era for the Bath business.’
Northcliffe said the new editor of Yeovil-based the Western Gazette will be announced shortly. Fernquest starts her new role on 2 July 2012.
Northcliffe has seen numerous editors leave the company over the last year including 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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