A former regional managing director with Archant has joined an independent publisher as its new commercial director.

Jeremy Moreton, left, has been appointed to Taylor Newspapers as commercial director to lead its free newspapers the Oxfordshire Guardian series, Oxford Journal and Property Weekly.

Jeremy was previously a managing director of Archant Life titles in London from 2004 to 2010, and since then has worked as chief executive of The Big Issue and UK business development director for the Digital Property Group.

Said Jeremy: “I am very excited to become the new commercial director at Taylor Newspapers. Finally I get the chance to work on these wonderful titles which I worked on back in the 1980’s when I started my media career.

“It is clear to me that together with the excellent team that is in place now we have a great opportunity for our readers and advertisers.”

Managing director Howard Taylor added: “Jeremy brings a wealth of experience with him and I have no doubt that he will make a real difference to our market position within the county as we are the only free papers here now and there is a bit of a revival for them.”