Newsquest Media Group, a local media company which publishes more than 200 local media brands across the UK, has announced the appointments of Jasper Copping as editor of the Eastern Daily Press and Nick Francis as editor of the Colchester Gazette.
Jasper takes over the Eastern Daily Press, England’s best-selling local daily newspaper, and the Norwich Evening News while Nick will lead the Colchester Gazette and associated weeklies, says the publisher.
Jasper said: “I am delighted and honoured to be appointed. It is a privilege to edit a newspaper with such a long history and such a vital role at the heart of our community.
“I am blessed to have such a talented team to continue this great work and can’t wait to get started.”
Nick said: “Newsquest is a publisher that's getting the model right, and the Colchester Gazette epitomises that – it's a title that truly understands its community. I'm thrilled to be part of something so vital to the people it serves.”
Vincent Boni, managing director of Newsquest Eastern Counties, said: “I am really looking forward to working with Jasper and Nick - both highly talented individuals."
Jasper began his journalism career 25 years ago this month as a reporter on the Norwich Evening News, working in the same building from which he will now edit the Eastern Daily Press, added the publisher.
In 2005, he joined the Sunday Telegraph, where he later worked as deputy news editor and night news editor, before returning to Norfolk in 2014 to work on the EDP newsdesk.
Two years later, he was seconded to become launch news editor of The New European and was appointed editor in 2019. He returned to the Eastern Daily Press in 2021 and is currently head of news.
Nick has worked in journalism for 20 years, beginning his career at The Sun in 2006 as a feature writer. During his time there, he embedded with the Parachute Regiment in Sangin, Afghanistan, interviewed the Prime Minister and was banned from returning to Kazakhstan after taking a Sun reader to spend a week living as Borat.
Beyond Fleet Street, Nick has managed editorial teams for global technology websites, developing extensive experience in digital publishing, audience growth and SEO.
Nick takes up his new role on August 17 and Jasper on September 1.
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