The Argus has a new editor. Mike Gilson, who edits the Belfast Telegraph, will take the helm of the Brighton newspaper in the new year.
Mr Gilson, a former editor of The News in Portsmouth, The Scotsman and the Peterborough Evening Telegraph, replaces Michael Beard who left last month.
Mr Gilson has been at the Belfast Telegraph for five years and is currently the Northern Irish Journalist of the Year.
His newspaper has been named Northern Irish Newspaper of the Year in four out of the past five years. In 2011 it was named the UK Regional Newspaper of the Year.
Mr Gilson said: “I am tremendously excited about taking on the opportunity in Brighton. It is a fantastically dynamic place and the newspaper and digital platforms under me will reflect that.
“We will be challenging when we need to be and supportive at other times. We will be at the centre of debate and, at the core of everything. Our journalism will be vital and trustworthy.
“I have a track record at producing compelling newspapers and websites. This will continue.”
Argus boss Dawn Sweeney, the managing director of the newspaper’s owner Newsquest Sussex, part of the American company Gannett, said: “I am delighted to welcome Mike to The Argus.
“He is an experienced editor with an outstanding pedigree and I look forward to working with him in the new year to further develop The Argus print and online platforms.”
His formal title will be group editor of Newsquest Sussex, which also publishes the Brighton and Hove Leader from its offices in Crowhurst Road, Hollingbury.
Good luck to him. I hope he takes note that the precipetous decline of the Argus is not only the Internet, but very importantly it’s negative, Daily Mail editorial outlook that has put off a big chunk of its potential readership in this most progressive city.
I keep my fingers crossed for improved journalistic standards.