Ex-editor bounces back as council PR chief for former patch

A former regional daily editor is taking up a new job as a PR chief for two councils on his former patch.

Mike Gilson, left, has been appointed head of communications at Adur & Worthing Councils, in Sussex, after impressing the authorities’ chiefs with his “significant” newsroom experience.

Mike left Brighton-based daily The Argus, whose patch includes the Adur and Worthing areas, in December after two years at the helm.

His new role will see him take responsibility for communications at the councils, which have operated together under a joint management structure since 2008.

Alex Bailey, chief executive officer for Adur & Worthing Councils, said: “After a highly competitive recruitment process, I’m very pleased to be welcoming Mike to the Councils at a key point in our development.

“Mike’s significant experience running busy newsrooms will be invaluable in telling the stories of the communities within Adur and Worthing, and the Councils’ place within those narratives.

“We have set ourselves a significant agenda for the next three years and great communications will be at the heart of how we inspire conversations and actions on important issues throughout Adur and Worthing, and beyond.”

Mike will begin his new job on 27 March.

Before joining the Argus in 2014, he edited the Belfast Telegraph for five years, during which time it won the UK Regional Newspaper of the Year award in 2011, and he has also edited three Johnston Press owned titles – The Scotsman, The News, Portsmouth and the Peterborough Telegraph.

Mike was replaced at The Argus by Lucy Pearce, who herself quit just weeks into the job to move to the role of communications and engagement manager with financial services giant Legal and General.

Arron Hendy has since taken up the Newsquest-owned newspaper’s editorship.

More at: http://www.holdthefrontpage.co.uk/2017/news/ex-regional-daily-editor-takes-up-new-role-as-councils-pr-chief/