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Paul Horrocks leaves Manchester Evening News to set up media consultancy

Posted: 21/09/09 By: Judith Townend

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Paul Horrocks is to step down as editor of Manchester Evening News after 12 years in the post.

MEN Media, a subsidiary of Guardian Media Group, today announced that Horrocks will leave to set up his own media and communications consultancy next year.

Horrocks first joined the MEN 34 years ago from the Daily Mail. During his time at MEN he was reporter, crime correspondent, news editor, assistant editor and deputy editor, before being made editor in 1997.

In reference to recent cost-cutting measures at MEN, Horrocks said he wished GMG management 'every success in a tough environment'.

"Leaving after such a long time is a wrench, but it is the right time for me and my family. I leave on the best of terms with Mark Dodson [GMG chief executive] and the rest of the management team," he said.

In March 2009, 150 job cuts, including 78 journalism jobs, were announced at MEN media. Twenty-two weekly papers within MEN Media, a subsidiary of Guardian Media Group, had their production centralised at the paper's Scott Place offices.

After further negotiations with the National Union of Journalists (NUJ), it was confirmed that 11 journalists from the MEN would be made redundant by compulsory means. The total number of editorial redundancies across MEN Media was reduced to 70.

"At the MEN we have created an integrated, multimedia newsroom that is the envy of many other publishing companies. It is an achievement I am proud of, and the whole editorial department shares in that," Horrocks said today, in a release from the company.

"I wanted to see that process through, and oversee the move of our weekly newspaper journalists into Manchester, before departing. Through all that change, we have never lost our focus on community campaigns and quality journalism."

Mark Dodson, chief executive of GMG Regional Media, said Horrocks was 'a superb journalist who has excelled at the highest levels of his profession'.

"He has led the MEN to countless editorial achievements and awards, and implemented one of the UK's best examples of a converged news operation. I would like to extend my sincere thanks to him for everything he has done for the company over the last 34 years.

"While we are sorry to see him go, we wish him all the very best in his new venture."

Maria McGeoghan, deputy editor of the MEN, will act as editor until a new one is appointed.

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