Ian Richard, group publishing director of Yattendon Investment Trust plc, is to retire at the end of the year.

He is also currently chairman of all the group's newspaper businesses, which include Cambridge Newspapers, Herts & Essex Newspapers and Staffordshire Newspapers.

He will be succeeded as chairman by David Fordham, who is currently managing director of Cambridge Newspapers.

Ian joined Yattendon 18 years ago after working for the Thomson organisation for 25 years.

He moved to Cambridge Newspapers in 1987 as managing director and was appointed to his present position in 1999.

In addition to being managing director of Cambridge Newspapers, David is deputy chairman of Herts & Essex Newspapers and a director of Staffordshire Newspapers Ltd.

He was formerly chief executive of the Adscene Group and, prior to that, held several senior positions with EMAP Newspapers.

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