THE Northern Echo has appointed assistant editor Andy Richardson as its new group editor, following Peter Barron’s departure in April.

Andy, whose new role at Newsquest (North-East) starts with immediate effect, had been serving as joint acting editor since Peter left after 17 years in the top job.

His fellow joint acting editor Nigel Burton, head of content & assistant editor at the Echo, has been promoted to the role of deputy group editor & head of content with immediate effect.

Their editorial responsibilities include the Echo's online content and its sister newspapers, the Darlington & Stockton Times, Durham Times and the Advertiser Series which serves County Durham.

Andy joined Newsquest as a sports journalist in Darlington, where the Echo is based, in 2007, and became deputy business editor in 2010.

He moved up to business editor two years later and added assistant editor to his portfolio in 2014.

Andy hails from Lanchester, County Durham and attended St Bede's School and Sixth Form in the village. He studied English and history at Durham University, and went on to spend 10 years in business development and PR – having begun his career with Northern Electric PLC and later moving to rail operator GNER, where he was a senior member of its marketing and PR operations.

In 2006, he decided to change career and undertook journalism training at Darlington College before working as a freelance sports journalist on local and national titles.

Andy said: "This is a huge honour and I am thrilled to take on the challenge of leading the development of our print and digital platforms. Nigel brings vast experience to his role and I am delighted that we will continue to work together as a management team."

Nigel, started his career with the Echo as a reporter in 1990. He served as news editor for 2000 until taking up the head of content & assistant editor role in 2006.

David Coates, Newsquest North managing director, said: “We’re really pleased that we could fill these two senior appointments with internal candidates.

“We saw some really good people, from inside and outside Newsquest, but it was clear that Andy and Nigel were the correct choice.

“They impressed us during their brief spell acting-up as group editor in Darlington and I’m entirely confident that The Northern Echo and its associated brands are in very safe hands.”