News
International executive chairman Les Hinton has been appointed an
independent non-executive director of regional newspaper publisher
Johnston Press.
The company has also appointed its director of operations, Danny Cammiade, as an executive director.
Commenting
on the appointments, Johnston Press chairman Roger Parry said: “Les’s
executive career and extensive experience in newspapers and the media
more generally will make a very significant contribution to the
development of Johnston Press.
“Danny has made a major
contribution to the success of Johnston Press and he plays a central
role in continuing to drive the business forward. His appointment is
richly deserved.”
The new appointments come as Johnston Press announced record operating profits for 2004 of £177.2 million, up 10 per cent.
Pre-tax profits were £150.6 million, up 18 per cent, on turnover up five per cent to £518.8m.
Advertising revenue growth in 2004was stronger than expected, ending the year up 5.5 per cent.
Total
circulation revenues increased by 1.3 per cent but a decision to remove
almost all remaining bulk sales led to the company’s evening titles
reporting an average circulation decline of 6.8 per cent.
Johnston Press said the underlying figure represents a fall of 4.2 per cent.
The
company has announced it is investing more than £100 million in new
print facilities in Sheffield and Portsmouth. Parry said in the annual
report: “The board expects to see another year of growth in advertising
and other revenue streams.
“We will also continue to invest heavily in editorial resources, printing, distribution and online technology.
“These
factors, coupled with the tight management of costs, further efficiency
gains and actions to offset the increase in newsprint prices, should
lead to another year of satisfactory progress for the group in 2005.”
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