BELFAST Telegraph editor Mike Gilson is quitting his post next month to take up a new role as group editor of Newsquest Sussex and editor of The Brighton Argus.
Gilson (51) has been in charge of the Tele since September 2009, when he replaced the retiring Martin Lindsay.
Formerly editor of the Scotsman, he previously also edited The News in Portsmouth and the Peterborough Evening Telegraph, and also held senior management positions at Cardiff's Western Mail, and the Hull Daily Mail.
The move, confirmed yesterday by the Tele's Dublin-based owners Independent News & Media (INM), was seen as something of a surprise in local media circles.
Nobody from INM would comment on his shock departure or on his likely successor.
Gilson, pictured, - who in June was named Northern Ireland journalist of the year at the CIPR regional media awards - joins The Argus at a time when it has seen its average daily sale plummet to 14,370.
He said: "I'm tremendously excited about taking on the opportunity in Brighton.
"It's a dynamic place and the newspaper and digital platforms under me will reflect that.
"We will be challenging when we need to be and supportive at other times. We will be at the centre of debate and, at the core of everything; our journalism will be vital and trustworthy. I have a track record at producing compelling newspapers and websites. This will continue."
Newsquest Sussex managing director Dawn Sweeney said: "I am delighted to welcome Mike to The Argus. He is an experienced editor with an outstanding pedigree and I look forward to working with him in the new tear to further develop The Argus print and online platforms."
Gilson's departure came as the Unite union said it is to ballot workers at the Belfast Telegraph and its Newry print plant on possible strike action in a bid to earn an increase after five years of pay freeze.
Unite industrial officer Sean Smyth said: "Employees at the Belfast Telegraph and INM Newry have suffered a dramatic fall in their disposable income as they have suffered a pay freeze for five of the last six years in addition to other terms and conditions curtailments.
"Our members are deeply disappointed with management's approach in the most recent pay negotiations - where they do not appear serious about rewarding workers for their commitment and productivity.
"We recognise that action by print workers would have a widespread impact on many of the popular daily titles printed in Northern Ireland including the Guardian, Daily Mirror and Belfast Telegraph, but our members have the right to withdraw their labour."
He urged management to "recognise the depth of anger" within the labour force and return to the negotiating table.