EDITOR Gerry Keighley is to leave his post after 18 years at the helm of the South Wales Argus.

Mr Keighley has edited the Argus since 1994 and is also the regional managing editor for Newsquest Wales and Gloucestershire. He leaves the role on February 29 to pursue other challenges.

During his time as editor, the Argus won a number of awards, including Welsh Daily Newspaper of the Year and the Newspaper Society Campaigning Newspaper of the Year.

It was also the fastest-growing daily newspaper in Britain for three successive years.

Among the campaigns fought during his time was our successful Justice for Miners campaign to speed up compensation to ailing pitmen which helped release £2 billion to victims and their families, along with the campaign to keep jobs at Newport’s Passport Office and the successful Sparkle Appeal for the £10 million treatment centre for disabled children at High Cross.

The Argus also campaigned strongly for Newport’s city status under his leadership, something awarded in 2002.

Mr Keighley, currently a governor at the University of Wales, Newport, and a director of the South Wales Chamber of Commerce and the Centre for Business, said: “I’ve been extremely proud to run the Argus for so long.

“Editing a daily paper is a unique privilege. I will be terribly sad to leave some talented and hard-working people behind.

“I want to try my hand at something different now and see if there really is life after newspapers.”

Kevin Ward, currently publisher for East Wales and Gloucestershire and former deputy editor of the Argus and editor of the Worcester News, has been appointed editor and regional managing editor, and takes up his post on March 1.