Irvine to step down as Manchester Evening News editor-in-chief after six years

The two-day marketing expo takes place on February 28th and March 1st 2018

“We offered a place for the people of Greater Manchester to come together when our city suffered a murderous act of terror which claimed 22 innocent lives in May last year. We raised millions of pounds for the bereaved and those most affected, and through our We Stand Together campaign we are helping to heal our city’s wounds.

“Now it’s time for me to hand over the reins.”

Thwaites’s position in the North East will be covered by Neil Hodgkinson, editor-in-chief of Humber and Lincolnshire, whose brief will be widened.

Helen Dalby and Sarah Lester, heads of digital in the North East and Manchester respectively, will also step up to become the senior editor in their centres.

“Darren is one of our leading editors-in-chief and will be terrific in his new role”, said Edmunds.

“He knows the region very well, having started his career on the Huddersfield Examiner, and is relishing such a fantastic opportunity. Darren pioneered our hyperlocal strategy when editor in Teesside and led the implementation of our digital-first newsroom model in Newcastle ahead of it being rolled out across our regional centres.

“Neil’s vast experience and skill also equip him brilliantly to make the most of the new opportunities created by leading a wider region.

“I’m also delighted for Helen and Sarah. They have both been key to much of our digital success and will do a superb job of helping to lead us through more change.”