Fighting for quality news media in the digital age.

  1. Archive content
January 8, 2003updated 22 Nov 2022 12:54pm

David Dalton: Kent Messenger Group production boss

By Press Gazette

David Dalton, the Kent Messenger Group’s production director, has died at the age of 61.

David, a larger-than-life character who was admired and respected across the newspaper industry, lost his battle with cancer.

In his time with the company, David succeeded in several major initiatives, including expanding the KMG’s contract printing and managing substantial investment in the company’s presses.

His endeavours led to the Kent Messenger Group gaining printing contracts with national publishers, producing titles such as the London Metro, sections of The Guardian and The Business.

David’s career began as an apprentice in 1959 and he later went on to work for leading newspaper groups including Thomson Newspapers.

At the Kent Messenger Group, he generated tremendous team spirit and his staff loved him, even though they sometimes found themselves on the end of his characteristic verbal outbursts.

But his bark was always worse than his bite and it was always aimed at achieving excellence.

Trevor Sturgess

Email pged@pressgazette.co.uk to point out mistakes, provide story tips or send in a letter for publication on our "Letters Page" blog

Websites in our network