Regional media group Ecng could be about to get a new makeover – if shareholders approve a proposed change of name to Archant.

The idea is to reflect the groups geographical spread and diversity – both in the newspaper business and its other publishing interests.

The group publishes 64 newspapers and 45 monthly magazines, as well as a number of annual publications and 40 separate websites.

Its daily titles are the East Anglian Daily Times, Eastern Daily Press, Evening News (Norwich) and the Evening Star (Ipswich). Among the 60-plus weeklies are the Royston Crow, Weston & Somerset Mercury and the Ayrshire Leader Series.

The group has expanded on its origins in East Anglia and now also has interests in Devon and Somerset, London and the home counties, and Scotland.

Chief executive Peter Strong said: “The new name will give us a consistent identity for all our activities. This will give us greater national visibility and enhance our ability to manage and grow.

“We are keenly aware of the importance of local and regional pride to our business and have always strived to give a voice to the communities of which we are a member.

“Giving the group a new name will not change or undermine these long-established and vital regional and local relationships but it will give added impetus to our business culture of development and success.”

All the newspapers, magazines and websites within the group would retain their existing names.

Shareholders will vote on the proposals on February 1 and the change would become effective in March.

Ecng’s roots go back to its origins in Norwich in 1845 and now employs 2,400 people. The newspaper division is now a top ten regional newspaper publisher.

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