The executive chairman of a regional publisher is leaving his role after six years with the business.

Archant has confirmed the departure of Simon Bax, who had held his current post since chief executive Jeff Henry left the company last year.

Simon, pictured, originally joined the publisher as chairman in 2014, having previously served as chief financial officer with Twentieth Century Fox.

His other previous positions have included those of chief financial officer of Pixar and of Chiat/Day, a global advertising agency.

Archant was taken over in August by London-based Rcapital Partners, which took a 90pc stake in the business.

The company, which publishes four daily newspapers in East Anglia and a number of weeklies across the country, has since been linked with a bid for JPIMedia, which is currently up for sale.

An Archant spokesman told HTFP: “Archant can confirm that Simon Bax is leaving Archant and his role of executive chairman after six successful years with the business.

“The board would like to thank Simon for his service and contribution to the company.”