The editor of the Stratford-upon-Avon Herald and Midweek Herald is standing down in August after nearly 25 years.
Chris Towner, who is retiring to Bath, will be replaced by Daventry Express deputy editor Amanda Chalmers (pictured).
Previously, Chalmers worked at the Buckingham Advertiser for more than five years as deputy editor and also at the Northampton Chronicle and Echo.
The weekly Herald, which recorded an average circulation of 14,092 in 2013 according to ABC, said Chalmers “has an in-depth understanding of digital journalism from daily web updates through to video editing and effective use of social media”.
Chairman and managing director Richard Boyden said: “Amanda brings to us a wealth of knowledge and experience of the regional press, gained over a career within the industry spanning almost 26 years. She shares our passion and, most importantly our ethos, for traditional, high quality publications, which are proudly at the heart of our local community, but with a clear and thoughtfully formulated vision and strategy for the future. Providing informative, authoritative, campaigning and thought-provoking editorial content is the most essential pre-requisite of this role, be it in print or in digital format.
“Managing the ‘mix’, between print, digital and social media is one of the greatest challenges that we face.”
Chalmers said: “I am thrilled to be following in the footsteps of Chris Towner as editor of the Herald, who has done sterling work over the past 25 years in establishing the paper as such a cornerstone in the community.
“I hope to further build on this success and already have exciting plans to carry the papers forward into a new era of growth.
“I very much look forward to meeting readers, advertisers and key members of the community, to personally learn about what people want from their Herald and how we can best deliver it, in tandem with up-to-the minute coverage on our digital platforms.
“Exciting times are ahead—and I am extremely proud to soon be a part of them.”
According to Holdthefrontpage, the newspaper has also announced the departure of its deputy editor Richard Howarth, who leaves next month.
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