Mardling, who has lead the masthead since October 2016, will finish up on Friday and start his new role with the Newcastle Herald as deputy editor on Monday, May 18.

Growing up on a farm at Rand, Mardling said leading the newspaper that he grew up reading has been "the highlight" of his working life.

"It's been a pleasure, and a privilege, to come to work each day over the past three-and-a-half years knowing I have such a dedicated and talented team alongside me," he said.

"I'm really proud of the way we've adapted to the digital world where, on top of putting out a newspaper each day, we cover the stories that matter most to our communities on our website, seven days a week, along with sending out breaking news emails and newsletters."

Mardling is moving within the Australian Community Media brand and will work alongside another former Border Mail editor Heath Harrison, who is editor at the Newcastle Herald and has known Mardling since his first day of work experience.

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"I've worked closely with Xavier for many years and have been thrilled to watch his career progress," Harrison said.

"He's done an outstanding job as leader of The Border Mail and I know he's going to be a great asset to the Newcastle Herald."

Deputy editor Julie Coe will act in the role of editor and said Mardling's contribution to the newspaper has been "immense".

"Not only in the role of editor but in many previous senior positions he has held," she said.

"He has been instrumental in leading our newsroom through the highly successful move into digital subscriptions.

"It's a real positive for ACM that Xavier's talents are not going to be lost to the company.''

Mardling joined the editorial team just weeks after completing his HSC exams at Corowa High School in 2001 and has remained with the title ever since, apart from a short stint in Adelaide.

Mardling will continue to be based from the Border until COVID-19 restrictions are lifted.