August 21, 2014

Former Filmflex Movies boss Jeff Henry joins Archant as chief executive

Regional media group archant has appointed Filmflex Movies boss Jeff Henry as its new chief exdecutive.

Filmflex is a video on demand joint venture between Sony Pictures Television and Disney. He takes over from Adrian Jeakings.

The Henry appointment at Archant follows the recruitment of former Pixar and Twentieth Century Fox Simon Bax as chairman in April.

Archant is privately owned and is the UK's fifth largest regional newspaper publisher with titles including the Eastern Daily Press, East Anglian Daily Times and Norwich Evening News. In March it launched Mustard TV in Norwich broadcasting on Freeview channel eight.

Bax said: "With our powerful portfolio of newspapers, magazines, websites, mobile apps, events and our newly-launched local TV station, this business has a great opportunity to be the most innovative local media business in the UK and to provide our consumers and commercial partners with new ways to engage with all the content we create. We have an exciting time ahead and I look forward very much to Jeff joining the team.”

Henry has held senior management positions at companies including Scottish TV, NYNEX and London News Network.

Henry said: “Archant has a fantastic heritage, an exciting vision, powerful local brands and a great ambition to take the business forward. I am delighted to have the opportunity to be able to lead the business at this time, as media habits change and our communities demand news, information and other content across multiple platforms. I look forward to working with the team at Archant in making it the most progressive local media business in the UK.”