Simon Irwin back with new Archant Life post

Simon Irwin, who made a shock departure as editorial director of the Kent Messenger Group in March, has got a new job with the Archant Life regional magazine group.
He is to be the new group editor of Archant Life South East and East, succeeding Jonathan Keeble who is joining a health trust as head of communications, HoldtheFrontPage reports.
Irwin, 47, was made editorial director of the Kent Messenger Group in January 2003 and promoted to the board. He was previously associate director. He joined KMG in 1998 and was previously assistant editor of the Western Mail in Cardiff. At KMG, he was successively West Kent senior editor and editorial manager before promotion to associate director. He has worked for the Derby Evening Telegraph, Radio Hallam, The Star in Sheffield and the Coventry Evening Telegraph, beginning his journalistic career as a reporter with the Mansfield Chad.
He was also a member of the Press Complaints Commission.
Irwin's sudden departure with "immediate effect" shocked staff. It followed large cuts in staff, with more than 30 editorial staff axed, the closures of offices and reduced pagination announced by KMG managing director Kevin Mead.