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Editor-in-chief Martin Wright starts new role at Midland News Association
Martin Wright has started in his new role as editor-in-chief for the Midland News Association.
Martin began work editing the MNA’s daily newspapers the Express & Star and Shropshire Star on Monday morning (December 3).
Martin takes overall responsibility for all editorial content, including the weekly portfolio and the monthly magazines. He will also take the leading role on digital content moving forward.
As well as overseeing the newsrooms in publishing the latest stories across print and digital, Martin has already started meeting with leading business and community figures.
For his first duty as editor-in-chief Martin met with local education and business partners when he launched the 2019 MNA STEM Challenge for schools.
Martin said: “I’m looking forward to starting my new role, shaping the editorial content for the MNA.
“I have spoken to editorial staff in a series of meetings and one-to-one discussions and I am relishing the opportunity of working with such a talented team of journalists.
“The Express & Star and Shropshire Star have a superb heritage for reporting on local life and leading the way in making a positive difference in the communities we serve. I want to build on our reputation as the leading newspaper brands in our areas.”
Martin has taken over from Keith Harrison, who has left the MNA after 25 years. Keith was among five staff to leave on Friday, along with Express & Star deputy editor Diane Davies, E&S business editor Simon Penfold, Weekend supplement deputy editor Lisa Harrison and E&S editor’s secretary Karen Baker.
As well as a directors’ lunch in the boardroom, the five were given a leaving presentation in the Express & Star newsroom before after-work drinks at a nearby venue.
Martin added: “The five colleagues who departed last week leave with our best wishes for the future.”
John Corser will take over from Simon on the business desk, while former Shropshire Star deputy editor Mark Drew will step up to be deputy editor for the group.
