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April 29, 2008

Anita Syvret quits after 18 years at Gloucestershire Echo

By Dominic Ponsford

One of the few women to edit a major UK regional newspaper, Anita Syvret, is leaving the Gloucestershire Echo to set up a media consultancy business.

Syvret has been editor of the Cheltenham-based Echo since 1990. In January, Ian Mean, editor of sister daily title The Citizen, which covers Gloucester, was put in overall charge of both titles when he was made editor-in-chief of Gloucestershire Media.

In common with nearly all regional dailies the title’s circulation has dropped in recent years – falling over the last decade from 26,444 a day to an average of 21,074 in the last regional press ABCs.

Northcliffe regional editorial director Mike Norton said: “Under her editorship, the paper has gone from strength to strength, commanding one of the best long-term sales records of any regional daily in Britain.

‘She is also one of the longest-serving regional editors in the country and has earned a distinguished reputation in the industry.

“She goes with our sincere thanks for all she has done for the company and with every good wish for the future.”

Syvret is to step down on 16 May.

In 2006, Northcliffe cut up to 20 editorial jobs when it closed the Citizen’s Gloucester office and moved both papers at the Cheltenham HQ of the Echo.

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