Regional publisher Newsquest has created a new publishing unit following its purchase of independent newspaper company the Romanes Media Group.

It was announced last week that Newsquest had acquired the independent publisher, which owned 29 titles in Scotland, Northern Ireland and Berkshire, for an undisclosed sum.

Now the Newsquest Clyde and Forth publishing unit has been set up for the Scottish and Northern Irish titles which were previously part of the Romanes Group, including the Greenock Telegraph, Dumbarton Reporter, Helensburgh Advertiser, Clydebank Post, Alloa Advertiser, Irvine Times and Ayr Advertiser.

Meanwhile the Berkshire titles, which include the Reading Chronicle, Bracknell News and the Slough Observer, will form part of a newly-enlarged business unit alongside Newsquest’s existing Hampshire titles.

The new Clyde and Forth unit will be part of Newsquest Scotland alongside the Herald and Times Group.

Former Romanes managing director Graham Morrison becomes MD of the new unit, according to a Newquest internal memo, which has been seen by HTFP, and will report to Tim Blott, regional managing director of Newsquest Scotland.

The memo, from Newsquest chief executive Henry Faure Walker, states that Romanes’ Berkshire Media Group titles will become part of an enlarged publishing unit called Newsquest Hampshire and Berkshire.

Amanda Davison-Young, currently MD of Newsquest Hampshire, will see her role expanded to lead the larger unit, while Dene Tonna, commercial director of Berkshire Media Group, will report to her.

The memo also revealed that Graham Faulds, finance director of Romanes Media Group, has decided to leave the company after 17 years but will work until 26 June to assist in the transition process.

Henry added: “I would like to thank Graham Faulds for his substantial contribution to the Romanes group and wish him well for the future.

“Graham Faulds’ direct reports in Scotland and Northern Ireland will report into Andrea Mills, regional finance director, Newsquest Scotland, and in Berkshire to Andrew Sullivan.”

Romanes Media Group comprised one daily and 28 weekly papers and Newsquest’s acquisition of it means it now owns around 230 newspaper and magazine titles.