A senior Newsquest executive has become the second of the company’s regional managing directors to announce his departure in the space of a week.
Earlier this week it was announced that Tim Blott, MD of the publisher’s Scottish division since 2003, is retiring at the end of the year.
Now it has emerged that Chris Hughes, who holds the same position in the North West division, is also bowing out.
Chris, pictured, has been regional MD for Newsquest North West since 2004, having originally joined the company from Trinity Mirror seven years earlier.
He made his announcement to staff this week in an email which has been seen by HoldtheFrontPage.
It read: “It is with regret that I am announcing that I shall be leaving the business at the end of this year. Having worked for the company for close to 20 years and led the North West region since 2004, I will be very sorry to leave the business and the people that I have worked with over the years.
“Everyone is well aware of the challenges the business continues to face and the difficult decisions we have had to make in order to ensure the Company remains profitable.
“A business such as ours is almost entirely dependent upon the commitment, quality and passion of the people employed. We are truly blessed to have some exceptionally talented individuals that have worked tirelessly to ensure we publish the best possible newspapers and website, both in terms of content and commercially. I feel really proud of what we have achieved despite the toughest of conditions.
“As our attention turns to the start a new year, I think the timing is right for my departure, from both a personal and business perspective. I want to wish my management team and everyone within the North West region the very best for the future and thank you all for your exceptional efforts, hard work and loyalty over the years.
“I am delighted that I will be handing over responsibility for the North West to Nick Fellows, whom I have worked with for very many years. Nick is extremely capable and I’m sure he will do an excellent job, with your support.”
Chris began his career as an accountant with Pilkington plc, before moving into regional newspapers with Trinity Mirror based in North Wales.
He originally joined Newsquest in 1997 as regional finance director for Cheshire/Merseyside before being appointed managing director of the Warrington Guardian Series in 2001.
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“As our attention turns to the start a new year, I think the timing is right for my departure, from both a personal and business perspective.” Ah well, that’s OK, then, a considered decision that accountant Chris has made for his own benefit. He’s a lot luckier than many at NQ in that respect.
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Dick Minim: I didn’t read it like that. ‘from a personal and business perspective’ can often be translated thus: personal = I can’t stand this any more/I have had a serious personality clash with my CEO/my face no longer fits; business = I’m too expensive and have been hacked by the FD.
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At least he gets a chance to say he has ‘bowed out’ unlike many hundreds of Newsquest employees whose exits are not even reported in their own newspapers. One law for….
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See my comments of yesterday. Looks like the goose is close to being fattened….
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They are getting out because they see no future in a business that for the past several years has been in severe decline. They, like many people want to be associated with success and they realise that there is no way back for these businesses. Chris Hughes and Tim Blott are bother capable managers and I am sure they want to be associated with a developing and successful industry. I wish them both well.
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Isn’t that how most of our senior staff depart? A clash of some sort . Oh to be a fly on the wall.
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How come you kept laying off the talented individuals you were blessed to have employed.
– Note there is no question mark, now do one.
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I read it like antiquarian too, asbin enoughs enough
The coming of the new year a time when the bloodletting starts, new structures are planned and announced and when departures become an e dry day occurrence, no matter how they’re dressed up
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To lose one MD may be regarded as a misfortune; to lose two looks like carelessness.
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So within a month, JP MD’s ‘leave’ and now Newsquest. It’s almost like these businesses are run with no creativity and thought. Just what looks good on a balance sheet, oh hang on……
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Isn’t this Nick Fellowes chap the same bloke who has managed to leave the Lancashire Telegraph without an editor, deputy editor and picture editor?
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“A business such as ours is almost entirely dependent upon the commitment, quality and passion of the people employed.”
A bit late to realise that when you are about to walk through the door. Perhaps his successor will get the message – though somehow I doubt it.
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Who in their right mind would stay? #rhetorical
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Probably wasn’t a good enough hatchet man, so had to go.
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Rats abandoning a sinking ship…
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