The Comet and Royston Crow’s new editor has vowed to ensure truth, integrity, and a community focus remain at the heart of what both newspapers stands for.

Nick Gill takes up the reins after 6½ years at the Comet and having been the news editor of both titles since October 2013.

The 28-year-old, who grew up in Stevenage and now both lives and works in the town, will lead a team of five reporters for our Stevenage, Hitchin, Letchworth & Baldock, and Biggleswade, Sandy & Potton editions, as well as Archant sister title the Royston Crow.

Matt Adams, who has been acting editor, has become group editor for the publishing company’s four Hertfordshire-based titles.

“When landing my first full-time job in journalism on my hometown paper, it’s fair to say I didn’t expect that one day I would be editor,” said Nick.

“The world of journalism has irrevocably changed since then, but I am proud the Comet remains rooted in the community it serves and feel privileged to be able to lead from the front in that respect.

“Given the sheer scale of what we do, it is inevitable that we will have our critics – but I know from my time here that we have loyal print readerships and a growing online communities which look to the Comet and the Crow as a source of authority, and that must never change.

“We need to adapt to the demands of our readers and look at new ways of reaching and interacting with our audiences, but truth, integrity and a community focus must remain at the heart of what we do.”