A board member for regional publisher Johnston Press has resigned, it has been announced.

Stuart Paterson, the group’s chief financial officer, has decided to leave the company to pursue another business opportunity.

A statement from Johnston Press said he would be leaving the group after the announcement of the annual results in March next year.

It said Mr Paterson joined the board in 2001 and had made a ‘strong contribution’ to the group’s development.

Chief executive John Fry said: “Stuart will be greatly missed by the Johnston team. He has been of great support since I joined the company last year and I am pleased that he will be able to stay with us until March of next year.

“The board wishes him every success in the future”.

Johnston Press will now start the process of finding his successor.