Kent and Sussex editor decides it is time to try new challenge

COURIER editor Ian Read has announced he will be stepping down from the role.

After more than 10 years at the company, he will leave later this month to take up a role as communications advisor at Tower Hamlets Council.

Mr Read, 31, started at the Courier as a trainee reporter in December 2002 and was appointed its editor a little over six years later, in 2009.

During his near four years as editor, he has led it to be named the best weekly newspaper in the South of England and last month collected the Campaign of the Year trophy at the Kent Media Awards for the paper's A21 campaign.

Mr Read said: "I have loved every minute of my time at the Courier and being editor of such a respected newspaper has been a great honour.

"Particular highlights of my time as editor include helping raise thousands of pounds for a blind toddler, successfully campaigning to keep Crowborough Athletic in their division, winning the fight to keep parking free in Cranbrook and lobbying hard for the A21 dualling to go ahead."

He added: "The Courier has been at the heart of local life for 140 years and it will continue to do so in the multi-media age. I look forward to keeping an eye on local goings-on as a Courier reader: I may even contribute the occasional reader's letter!"

Before being appointed Courier editor, Mr Read was in charge at the Sevenoaks Chronicle.

He will leave the Courier on March 15.

He will continue to live in Pembury with his wife Caroline, who runs the Courier's Go! section, and their daughter.