• From the Press Gazette Archive: Peter Franzen interview (February 2005)
Eastern Daily Press editor Peter Franzen is to retire in July after 16 years in the job and almost 40 years with the company.
Archant Norfolk announced last night that Franzen would be stepping down following his 62nd birthday earlier this month.
He joined the company in 1970 when it was known as Eastern Counties Newspapers and since then has worked across several of its regional newspaper titles, including time as a sub-editor on the dailies and then editor of the Great Yarmouth Mercury.
Franzen became editor of the Eastern Daily Press in 1993 and was awarded the OBE for services to journalism in the 2005 New Year Honours.
In a statement, he said: “I have lived and breathed news all my working life and when you are an editor your job never stops – it is 24 hours a day and seven days a week all year round.
“It is always a hard decision to step down but there comes a time when you do want to enjoy your retirement while you are still young enough to do so.
“There is a strong team in place at the EDP and I know they will continue to deliver a quality product in the newspaper and across the EDP24 website.”
In his time at the EDP, Franzen developed the paper’s website, a monthly magazine and a series of local awards covering business, food and tourism. He also launched a number of charity appeals.
Archant Norfolk said Franzen would continue to help in an “advisory and ambassadorial role”.
Managing director Stephan Phillips said: “The Eastern Daily Press has gone from strength to strength under Peter’s tenure and it has won many industry awards.
“Throughout his time at the helm, the title has always been recognised as one of the country’s leading morning dailies.
“He has overseen major changes with the title effectively and skilfully and he has earned tremendous respect and admiration from all around him.
“Peter has given great service to the Eastern Daily Press and to Norfolk and he will be an extremely hard act to follow both in the newspaper business and outside in the community.”
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