Mr Leersen, 42, yesterday told staff at Fairfax’s Tasmanian publications, The Examiner and The Advocate, that he was proud of their reforms and achievements during his tenure. He was now following his passion with education.

‘‘I developed a passion for education while completing an MBA,’’ Mr Leersen said.

‘‘It reinforced to me the significance and importance of the University of Tasmania in Northern Tasmania.’’

He has been with Fairfax for 24 years, including 15 years at a senior management level.

Mr Leersen said the university’s significance in the North of the state ‘‘resonates with me’’.

‘‘To have the university and the AMC in the North is the jewel in our region,’’ he said.

‘‘As an institution of learning the AMC is globally recognised, and perhaps we as a community tend to underestimate its significance.’’

He paid tribute to the reformist Tasmanian operations of Fairfax, saying it was responsible for producing the first smart phone App for the business, the first newspaper Eedition, while winning many awards at a national level .

‘‘I am immensely proud of what our staff in Tasmania have achieved, in a very competitive media environment,’’ Mr Leersen said.

‘‘We are finalists in 15 categories in the PANPA [Pacific Area Newspaper Publishers Association] awards this week,’’ he said.

Mr Leersen said he was very confident and optimistic about the future of both The Examiner and The Advocate.

Editor of The Examiner Martin Gilmour praised Mr Leersen for the strong leadership he had provided in a highly competitive environment.