Leon Vyrva has been appointed the new managing director of the Dunfermline Press newspaper group. He has joined the company after 20 years with the Johnston Press-owned Fife Free Press group.
Vyrva, an ex-editor, was managing director of the Johnston group for nine years and latterly a director of Johnston (Falkirk).
Deirdre Romanes, chief executive of Dunfermline Press, said: "Leon has considerable experience in the industry and this appointment strengthens our management team at an exciting time for the company.
"It will allow us more time to consider the strategy for improving the groupwide performances of Dunfermline Press and its sister stable, Clyde and Forth Press, in both Scotland and Slough."
Slough has already seen a big change. Janice Raycroft, editor for 21 years, left last month and last week her deputy, Martin Biddle, was confirmed as her successor.
Biddle joined the Slough Observer in 1996 as a trainee reporter and became deputy editor in January 2000. He has been acting editor since Raycroft’s departure.
Biddle said: "This is a dream job for me and a challenge I am determined to live up to." Romanes said Biddle was the youngest editor in the group but "well equipped to meet the challenges of his new role".
Bryce Martin has returned to the Observer as sports editor and Doug Marshall has been promoted to news editor.
By Jean Morgan
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