Neil Hodgkinson, the former Hull Daily Mail Editor, has quit Reach in order to take up his “next adventure.”
Hodgkinson has strong connections on both sides of the Pennines, having spent 3 years as Editor of the Lancashire Evening Post, 7 editing Yorkshire Evening Post and 5 as Editorial Director of CN Group. Since 2019, he’s been Editor in Chief for Reach’s titles across Yorkshire, North East and Scotland.
Since 2022, he was the publisher’s Audience and Content Director (Sport) – a key role ahead of its launch in the USA.
The news comes a week after Lloyd Embley, Reach’s Group Editor in Chief announced that he would be leaving with immediate effect.
“Hopefully I have made a positive impact on people’s careers both within Reach and elsewhere during an amazing time for the industry that saw hot metal and linotype printing end, full page makeup come in and digital journalism move alongside and then ahead of print,” he said.
The “council house kid from Fleetwood” added:
“Now it is time for me to again see what is out there for the next adventure.
“It has been an absolute pleasure working with Reach and there are some brilliant people doing some brilliant things. I wish everyone I have worked with the very best for the future.”
His departure means that there will be a restructure in Reach’s sport team, with Head of National Sport, Jake Murtagh and Mat Kendrick, its Deputy Managing Editor (Sport) both reporting to Chief Digital Publisher, David Higgerson.
Higgerson said:
“Countless careers have been built upon Neil’s advice, support and guidance including many people working within Reach today.
“His leadership of digital sport has been brilliant to see, and I’m sure all of us wish him well after such a long and distinguished career.”
Reach’s COO, Alan Edmunds, added that Hodgkinson was a “superb editor and leader.”
