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Editors return to former patches after publisher’s takeover deal

BarryP-e14140674746162Two editors have returned to oversee their former patches following Iliffe Media’s takeover of 13 Johnston Press newspapers.

Iliffe has announced Paul Richardson as the new group editor for eight titles in Lincolnshire, Rutland and West Norfolk, while Barry Peters, left, will take on five in South Norfolk and Suffolk.

Paul’s new portfolio includes the Grantham Journal, which he edited prior to a JP reshuffle in 2015, while Barry’s includes the Bury Free Press and Newmarket Journal, which he edited before the same reogranisation.

The 2015 changes saw Barry moved to a regional communities editor role, but following Iliffe’s takeover he has returned to the Free Press and Newmarket Journal.

Barry will also assume responsibility for the Haverhill Echo, Suffolk Free Press and Diss Express.

His new portfolio had been overseen by Paul following the 2015 move, when he was put in charge of all JP’s titles in Norfolk and Suffolk.

Paul is now responsible for the Grantham Journal, as well as the Stamford Mercury, Rutland Times, Bourne Local, Spalding Guardian, Lincolnshire Free Press, Fenland Citizen and Lynn News.

The pair will work alongside Paul Brackley, editorial director of Iliffe Media and editor of the Cambridge Independent.

The £17m deal between Iliffe and JP was concluded last week, and printing of the 13 will transfer to Iliffe Print Cambridge this week.

7 comments

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  • January 27, 2017 at 9:47 am
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    It sounds as if Iliffe Media has made a promising start. Let’s hope it lives up to its promises of appointing more reporters and improving work conditions, so the current teams aren’t under such horrific stress. Good luck,all.

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  • January 27, 2017 at 11:05 am
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    Amid the usual misery of decline in regional newspapers, these developments feel strangely refreshing! Well done for having a go, Iliffe. As the former owners of the Birmingham Post & Mail and various other titles, it’s encouraging to have a family with such a rich media history back in the game.

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  • January 27, 2017 at 3:02 pm
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    Good appointments particularly the south Norfolk ones with Barry in an area with little opposition and real territorial gains to be made, I wish them well

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  • January 27, 2017 at 3:41 pm
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    8 titles for one and five for another is a heavy editing load, but this is at least some positive news. Good luck to them.

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  • January 28, 2017 at 1:09 pm
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    I think they have other editors in some offices too. Definitely a good guy in Spalding and another in King’s Lynn. They’re opening receptions and reducing ad prices too. Unlike JP, they actually want print to succeed… I wish I’d got one of the life jackets.

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  • January 31, 2017 at 12:03 am
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    Why doden’t Illfe take a look at some of the other JP papers/groups up for sale too. I hear the Northern Ireland papers are a small goldmine!

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