Adrian Jeakings stands down as chief executive of Archant 12 years after joining regional publisher

Adrian Jeakings has stepped down as chief executive and board member of Archant.

Jeakings joined the regional publisher as group finance director in 2002 and was made chief executive in 2008.

Jeakings, who is also chairman of the Newspaper Society and a non-executive director of Press Association, said: “I have been Chief Executive for almost six years and have been considering for some time whether or not it is time for me to move on.

“Now that our new Chairman, Simon Bax, has his feet under the table I have decided that now is the right time for me to step down.

“I am honoured to have led this great company and I will miss working with Archant people. I wish Simon and Archant all the best for the future.”

He told staff in an email: "Over the last six years our revenue has consistently outperformed the rest of the industry, we have increased our expenditure on innovation and we are on track to have zero debt by the end of the year which puts us in a very strong position to take on the next stage of our evolution with a new leader.

"It has been an honour to lead Archant through one of the most difficult periods in the company’s history, I will miss working with you and I would like to thank you all for your help and support."

Simon Bax, Archant chairman, said: “Adrian has made a major contribution to the Group over the last twelve years and we want to both thank him for his dedication and careful stewardship of the business over an extremely difficult period for the industry and to wish him every success in his next challenge.

“We are also delighted that he will continue his association with Archant by representing its interests on the Boards of both the Newspaper Society and the Press Association.”

Archant said Jeakings’ successor will be announced in due course.