Three directors including the chairman have announced they are stepping down from the board of regional press publisher Johnston Press.

Current chairman Roger Parry is to retire after 12 years as a board member and eight as chairman.

He will be succeeded by Ian Russell, currently a non-executive director, with effect from 12 March, the day after the company announces its annual results for 2008.

Mr Parry led the search for a new JP chief executive to replace Tim Bowdler, which eventually resulted in the appointment of new CEO John Fry.

Senior independent director Peter Cawdron said: “The board is immensely grateful to Roger for his contribution during the last 12 years, especially the eight years as chairman, a period which has seen the substantial expansion of the company to become the second largest regional newspaper publisher in the UK.

“We wish him well with his future ventures.”

Mr Parry added: “The past 12 years have been characterised by industry consolidation. The last year has been about responding to the recession. This will be the focus in the immediate term, together with adapting the business to reflect the changing needs of consumers and advertisers.

“With a new CEO in place it seems an ideal time for me to hand over to Ian to work with John Fry and the board to address the challenges ahead.”

Also leaving after six years is Simon Waugh, who is to take over as the first chief executive of the new National Apprenticeship Service from 1 February.

And Gavin Patterson, a director since last July, departs in April, having recently been appointed as chief executive of BT Retail.

Comments

Augustus Pablo (28/01/2009 13:10:04)
“industry consolidation” – does that mean decimating staff numbers and losing the the true value of an industry?
Strange, i’ve not read of any Chief Execs, MDs, CEOs being made redundant in this current culture… but then I suppose shareholders are far more important than the readers of our papers.

elusive pimpernel (28/01/2009 14:16:45)
Goodness, lots of JP bosses leaving with fat bonuses, pensions and goodbye deals on the same day JP subs are being told they will have to take a ten grand paycut and a demotion to stay in work? Good luck comrades!

Chris Youett (28/01/2009 15:34:03)
DARE I ask what planet JP’s directors live on? The real problem with the UK media – too much spare press capacity – has still only been scratched at. So-called consolidation of the subbing and page design stage at a regional centre doesn’t work – and will only accelerate circulation decline. Even Ford, the world’s worst run multi-national, would make such a mess of the Top 10 media employers.

scabber jeans (29/01/2009 10:49:12)
let’s hope there is a domino effect and that all the fat cats at the top go too. you’ve got to skim the cream off to get to the milk, yet this pint has got a sour taste. shame on you all.
maybe the board would care to thank me for my 12 years with the company? don’t think so somehow…