Archant Norfolk has appointed a single editor-in-chief to take charge of both the Norwich Evening News and its sister paper the Eastern Daily Press.

Nigel Pickover, editor of Archant's multi-award winning daily newspaper the Ipswich Star and a former President of the Society of Editors, will take up his new role with immediate effect.

He replaces Peter Waters, editor of the EDP for the last three years, who has decided to leave the business, and Tim Williams, editor of the Norwich Evening News, who is taking up a new senior post as development editor.

During Nigel's 16 years at the helm of the Ipswich Star, the title picked up 20 coveted Newspaper of the Year accolades for its strong campaigning stance, editorial quality and support of its local communities.

One of those campaigns, set up in 1998 to support baby Terri from Suffolk, who suffered 90pc burns, has raised more than �500,000 and exists to secure a safe and secure future for Terri, who is now a teenager. The fund bought a caravan for Terri and her family and they spend most spring and summer weekends enjoying the outdoor life in Norfolk.

Nigel said: 'The Eastern Daily Press is one of the UK's most prestigious and respected newspapers and I am delighted to take the helm and ensure that it continues to play an important role in the lives of its readers and advertisers.

'News is consumed in many different ways today and the EDP has been at the forefront of changes to capitalise on this and will continue to be so.

'My job is to ensure the EDP and Evening News are able to change to meet the demands of 2012 and beyond, but always to remember and serve the great communities which link Norfolk together so wonderfully.

'The Evening News does a fantastic job for the city of Norwich and its fine campaigning tradition is respected across the regional press.'

As a highly-respected regional newspaper editor, Nigel was asked to give evidence to the Leveson Inquiry into press standards earlier this year. He stressed the difference between regional titles and some sections of the national press when covering news events and its relationships with politicians and those in positions of authority.

Nigel, who is already in the process of moving to Norfolk with his wife Ruth, added: 'We are both very much looking forward to getting to know Norfolk even better than we do.'

Archant Anglia managing director Johnny Hustler said: 'Our world is evolving rapidly. Side by side with our newspapers, new digital platforms and the social media give both us and our customers myriad new opportunities to interact together – and communities increasingly want their own voices heard. I believe that Nigel has the skills needed to lead us through this evolution. He has a distinguished editorial career, including his role as President of the Society of Editors, and has demonstrated strong leadership in these new areas. It is sad that Peter Waters is leaving us and we are thankful for the important work that he has done.'

Prior to editing the EDP, Peter was deputy editor of the newspaper from September 2006 before being promoted to editor in July 2009. He also worked on the title from 1994 to 2001, being responsible for the editorial implementation of the EDP's successful change from broadsheet, the launch of the first Saturday magazine in the regional press and the launch of the EDP Norfolk glossy magazine.

Johnny added: 'I am pleased that Tim Williams will be leading new product development and providing senior editorial management support across Anglia. He has played an important role in making sure the Evening News is a strong, campaigning local newspaper and will continue to represent Archant on a number of Norwich initiatives, including the board of the Norwich Business Improvement District.'

At Archant Suffolk, Terry Hunt, editor of the East Anglian Daily Times, is appointed editor-in-chief and will also edit the Ipswich Star and oversee Suffolk's weekly titles.

Nigel, Terry and Tim will report to Bob Crawley, recently appointed publishing director at Archant Anglia.