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Regional editor roles to go in company restructure

Regional publisher Northcliffe Media is to shake-up its organisational structure by dispensing with regional editors and managing directors.

The radical move has been put in place by new group MD Steve Auckland within weeks of taking over from long-serving predecessor Michael Pelosi.

It will see new roles of publisher created in three of the group’s key newspaper centres – Nottingham, Bristol and Hull.

The editors in those centres will now report directly to the publishers who will have full profit-and-loss responsibility for the businesses.

Northcliffe currently employs six regional editors across its three regions – North and Midlands, South West and Wales, and South-East.

However none of those concerned are likely to lose their jobs as each of them also has other roles editing daily or weekly titles.

Northcliffe is calling the move the first stage in a “long-term strategy” to improve its performance, which will be seen by some as an attempt to dispel speculation that the group will be sold off.

Since taking over the MD’s role last month Mr Auckland has also launched a review of the company’s portfolio which could see some daily titles going weekly.

A spokesperson for Northcliffe Media said: “The operating structure at Northcliffe Media is going through some changes to create a simplified ‘one team’ approach.

“Three Publisher roles will be created in Bristol, Nottingham and Hull. These roles will have full profit and loss accountability, and responsibility for the publishing model, pricing structure and staffing for their centres. The positions will be advertised nationally.

“It is envisaged that these changes will be phased over the next few months once the appointments have been made.

“The restructure is the first phase of a long-term strategy to improve the performance of Northcliffe Media.”

5 comments

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  • April 6, 2011 at 5:21 pm
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    Well, well what about the South East Region then!!! It’s a bit far from the Sheriff of Nottingham in it! “Head Office” is there any need for one at all now?

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  • April 6, 2011 at 5:34 pm
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    A long overdue pruning of some of the top brass. When Northcliffe merged its South West and Wales regions, it kept each region’s MD, while at the same time continuing to shed frontline staff. Now with newsrooms cut to the bare bones and beyond, the endless search for economies has ended up where it should have started: in the boardroom.

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  • April 7, 2011 at 9:25 am
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    ‘Since taking over the MD’s role last month Mr Auckland has also launched a review of the company’s portfolio which could see some daily titles going weekly’ More staff cuts to come then as weeklies don’t need as many bodies as dailies – not that there are that many bodies left of course.

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  • April 7, 2011 at 11:32 am
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    I am waiting with bated breath to see who will be the chosen ones. But oh how the cooky crumbles… As one of the ones who was pushed – rather violently out of my job – I can assure you that I feel nothing but joy at the prospect that some of these people will have to suffer the humiliation of what is nothing short of demotion. I suspect that many will simply leave, rather than be seen to lose so much power in such a fine sweep. There were many things I wanted to say when I was heaved out – a nasty experience I can say – but opted to wait. I just hope to hear that one name is on the list of those losing the regional post

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  • April 7, 2011 at 3:21 pm
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    I totally agree with these comments – the way to cut costs is to tackle the high earners. I left because I didn’t feel valued or respected- I wonder if that person is on this list..

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