News Corp moves Townsville Bulletin editor Lachlan Heywood to top Courier-Mail role
New Courier-Mail editor Lachlan Heywood
News Corp has filled the vacant editor’s seat at Brisbane newspaper the Courier-Mail with Townsville Bulletin editor Lachlan Heywood stepping up.
Heywood, who has headed up the regional paper for the last four years, will be replaced by Daily Telegraph deputy editor Ben English. English had been tipped as a favourite for the Courier-Mail role.
The shuffles come after The Australian’s editor-in-chief Chris Mitchell retired, causing a domino effect with Daily Telegraph editor Paul Whittaker replacing him and Courier-Mail boss Chris Dore stepping up for the Sydney paper.
News Corp CEO Peter Tonagh said in a statement: “Lachlan is a dynamic editor and journalist with a deep understanding of the forces that drive Queensland from the South East corner to the Far North.
“He has the professional and personal experience to excel in the role of leading The Courier-Mail which is Queensland’s most enduring and influential media voice.”
The move is a return to Brisbane for Heywood who has previously been deputy editor of the Sunday Mail and chief-of-staff for the Courier-Mail, amongst several other roles.
Heywood said: “The editorship of The Courier-Mail is one of the great jobs in Australian journalism and I am thrilled and humbled to have been offered the opportunity.
“The paper has rarely been more dynamic and influential than it is now and I look forward to working with its great team.”
Townsville Bulletin editor Ben English
English has held a number of roles at the Sydney tabloid including Olympics editor and business and sports editor.
Tonagh said: “Ben will bring to Townsville an extraordinary suite of journalism and editing skills. I am delighted he has accepted this new challenge.”
English added: “The opportunity to edit a paper as deeply connected to its readers as the Townsville Bulletin is a great honour. I admire its energy and the things it has achieved and I look forward to being part of such a unique community.”
Alex Hayes
News Corp taps Townsville Bulletin editor, Westpac taps Junkee Media. Plenty of tapping going on today, hey Mumbrella?
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You’re not wrong Sub,
And I’ve amended this one as a result.
Cheers,
Alex – editor, Mumbrella
Still a lot of “stepping up” in this story
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I think Lachlan is pretty excited about this as well, if his nipples are anything to go by.
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If only they lowered the tap, they wouldn’t need to step up as much.
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