The deputy editor of the North West Evening Mail has been promoted to editor.
James Higgins, who has been at the newspaper since 2010, will replace editor and publisher Jonathan Lee – who will move to a newly created managing director role – on Monday.
Higgins joined the Cumbrian title from the Bolton News, where he was assistant editor and has also previously worked at the Blackpool Gazette, Lancashire Evening Post and Oldham Advertiser.
“I have hugely enjoyed the last four years at the Evening Mail and now look forward to working with our talented team as we enter an exciting phase in the development of our traditional and emerging platforms,” he said.
“It is an honour and privilege to be entrusted with the editorship of a newspaper which truly is at the heart of the communities it serves.
“I will now make it my work to ensure those links are further strengthened through fair, honest and campaigning journalism.”
Lee, who has edited the title since 2008, said: “I am delighted that James will be taking the Evening Mail forward in what promises to be an exciting future.
“It has been a privilege to be editor of the Evening Mail and I thank everyone for the tremendous support I have received over the last six years.
“I wish James every success in what is a great job in a great part of the country.
“I am now looking forward to taking on a new challenge to grow the business in the digital age.”
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