IT’S ALL change at the top of the editorial management team at the Daily Echo.

As Gordon Sutter, current Group Editor for Bournemouth and Southampton, retires after more than 30 years in the driving seat, a new vanguard of managers step up to enhanced roles with a heavy focus on digital development.

The Echo and sister dailies across the south coast are already the number one sites for news with unparalleled scale in audience, penetrating more than 80 per cent of households. The pandemic has reinforced every community’s reliance upon minute-by-minute content and cemented trust in our local newsrooms.

Diarmuid MacDonagh will take over responsibility for all three Newsquest dailies (Bournemouth Echo, Dorset Echo and Southern Daily Echo) as Regional Group Editor. Diarmuid has been editing the Dorset Echo for 10 years and already has responsibility for titles in Cornwall.

Vicky Nash will support Diarmuid as Group Deputy Editor for Dorset, an enhancement from her current role of Audience and Content Editor. Vicky has previously worked as Deputy Head of News at the Express & Star in Wolverhampton.

Investment in a new dedicated editor’s position for the Southern Daily Echo sees Katie Clark rise from her current role as Regional Digital Audience Manager.

Diarmuid said: “I am delighted to be given responsibility for the iconic Echo titles along the south coast. We are very much focused on growing our already unrivalled audiences across Dorset and Hampshire.

“I look forward to working alongside Katie and Vicky who will both have a major role to play as we embrace an ever-more digitally-focused future.”

Katie said: “It’s an incredibly exciting time to be stepping into this role at Newsquest. I am looking forward to leading the talented team at the Southern Daily Echo and propelling our audience to even greater heights. Working with Diarmuid and Vicky is the icing on top of the cake.”

Vicky said: “Our Dorset titles are the pinnacle of what exceptional local journalism has to offer. I am consistently amazed at the quality and quantity of content our journalists produce every day – engaging hundreds of thousands of readers and going the extra mile to not just provide news the fastest – but to tell the stories which really matter. I am excited to continue supporting Diarmuid at the Dorset Echo but also to be working with the top team at Bournemouth helping to strengthen our brilliant brands along the south coast.”

Managing Director Vincent Boni said: “These positions represent significant continued investment in Newsquest’s digital future. Already preeminent in audience, the focus on digital development is crystalised in this cocktail of talent promoted from within our organisation. This is the first raft of what will be several developments unfolding in the coming weeks. Watch this space…”