Chris Bisco, managing director of the CN Group's publishing division, is to join the Kent Messenger Group as interim managing director.

He will work alongside KM Group chairman Geraldine Allinson and the company's executive team to drive the business forward after leaving CN Group in December.

Chris said: "The KM Group's history has much in common with the CN Group; both were born in the era of 'hot metal', both established a core title and then acquired further titles and in recent years branched out into local radio, as well as embracing the internet.

"The challenge now in our fast moving world is for local newspaper groups to complete their transformation into multi-media providers of local news, information and advertising services.

"Like CN, the KM Group is well down the route of exploiting the new opportunities the multi-media world offers us. I'm looking forward very much to working with a new team in a new area while my colleagues at CN also move to the next stage of their development."

Geraldine added: "I'm delighted Chris has agreed to bring his significant experience to Kent Messenger Group. Kent and Cumbria have a lot in common – a network of small towns with no single town dominating the economic landscape and a large rural populace."

It was announced last month that Terry Hall is to succeed Chris as managing director of CN Group's publishing division. Chris steps down from his role as MD on Monday, but will remain as a director and consultant until December.

KMG's titles include the Kent Messenger series, Medway Messenger, Gravesend Messenger and Kentish Gazette, as well as a number of free weeklies and niche publications.