Birmingham Mail executive editor Stacey Barnfield has been named new editor of the Birmingham Post.
Barnfield, who takes up the new role on Monday, has played an “instrumental” role in developing the Post’s print and digital strategy since former editor Alun Thorne left to become editor of the Coventry Telegraph in October, said publishers Trinity Mirror.
He began his career on the Solihull News in 1992 before joining the Sunday Mercury in 1997 as a sub-editor. This was followed by a five-year spell at Trinity’s magazines division as design editor and then editor-in-chief, overseeing a portfolio of lifestyle and entertainments magazines and contract-published titles.
The 39-year-old joined the Birmingham Mail as assistant editor in 2005 and was appointed executive editor three years later with a brief to help increase the newspaper's digital readership.
He said: “I'm extremely proud to be at the helm of such a historic newspaper which has been setting the business agenda in Birmingham for more than 150 years.
“We're working on exciting plans for the Post which will ensure it continues to provide quality news coverage to the city's business community in the years to come.”
David Brookes, Trinity Mirror Midlands’ editor-in-chief, said: “Stacey’s drive and innovation have been instrumental in helping to grow the Birmingham Mail’s online audience over the past 12 months.
“He is a great example of the bright, young talent we have in our newsrooms in the Midlands and I wish him every success in his new role.”
Elsewhere, Paul Cole, currently executive editor on Sunday Mercury, has been appointed executive editor (Birmingham), tasked with helping to launch the Birmingham Mail’s part-paid, part-free Friday edition.
Graeme Brown has been promoted to regional head of business with responsibility for supporting Barnfield “in the development of the Birmingham Post across multiple channels”.
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