Northcliffe Media has made a series of senior editorial appointments following the departure of Northcliffe South East editorial director and Essex Chronicle editor Alan Geere in September.
Geere’s editorial director job has split into four roles and will see Brentwood Gazette editor Nev Wilson head up Essex Chronicle Media Group while retaining editorship of the Gazette.
Paul Dent Jones, who is currently deputy editor on the Essex Chronicle, has been promoted to editor, filling the vacancy left by Geere.
Other changes include Roger Kasper, who retains editorship of the Sevenoaks Chronicle, becoming senior editor of the Courier Media Group. Ian Read will continue to edit the Kent and Sussex Courier Series.
Glenn Ebrey will head up the East Surrey and Sussex Media group and remains editor of the Croydon Advertiser, overseeing the Crawley News, edited by Andy Worden, and the Surrey Mirror Series edited by Deanne Blaylock.
Rebecca Smith leads the Kent Regional News and Media titles and retains editorship of the Thanet Gazette.
Folkestone Herald and Dover Express editor Simon Finlay, who takes on responsibility for training across the South East, will report to Smith along with Whitstable Times editor John Nurden.
Northcliffe said: “The four roles report directly into managing director, Richard Karn and will be responsible for driving more flexible and modern working practices across the region’s four businesses, including greater use of user generated content and developing digital platforms.”
Karn commented: “I am confident these new appointments will help us drive and deliver significant changes to keep our business on a healthy footing.
“Neville, Roger, Glenn and Rebecca are to be congratulated on their appointments and they will lead a team of talented and respected editors.
“I look forward to working with them to build on the substantial improvements made with our titles under Alan Geere.”
The appointments are effective from Monday 15 October 2012.
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