The chief executive of regional publisher Newsquest is to take up the interim presidency of its American parent company.

Henry Faure Walker will become interim president of Gannett at the end of the year, according to Washington DC-based newspaper The Hill.

The move comes after Gannett announced its current president Maribel Perez Wadsworth will leave the company at the end of 2022.

A spokesperson for the group confirmed to The Hill that Henry, pictured, will also continue to run Newsquest in addition to his new duties.

Gannett chief executive Mike Reed said in a statement: “Maribel Perez Wadsworth has served Gannett with passion and conviction for 26 years.

“Her dedication as an indefatigable defender of journalism in our democracy will continue to benefit our industry for years to come and we wish her all the best as she pursues other endeavors.”

Henry has been Newsquest’s CEO for the past eight years and was digital director of Johnston Press prior to that.

He has also previously served as general manager of The Scotsman Publications Ltd.

A Newsquest spokesman said: “Henry will continue to run Newsquest in addition to overseeing the US local and national news USA TODAY operation at Gannett and will remain based in the UK.”