The president of family-owned regional newspaper publisher the KM Group has died aged 76.
He had previously served as managing director, chief executive and chairman of the company and took on the role of president in January 2006, passing the chairman’s baton to his daughter Geraldine Allinson.
The Kent-based company announced his death this morning and said it followed a short illness.
KM Group managing director Richard Elliot described Boorman as “a great figure with a true passion for local journalism”.
He added: “Edwin helped build a company that everyone at the KM Group is proud to work for, and we will all miss him greatly. Our thoughts and best wishes are with Geraldine and all the family.”
Boorman was the third generation in a family that has owned the business since the late 1800s, and under his leadership the KM Group expanded into radio and digital with the launch of kmfm and kentonline.co.uk.
Boorman, who was taken ill just before Christmas, was awarded an OBE in 2002 for his services to the Royal British Legion in Kent. He was also president of the Newspaper Society from 2001 to 2002, a post his daughter Geraldine now holds.
Kent County Council deputy leader Alex Kingwas quoted on kentonline.co.uk saying: “Edwin was someone who made a great contribution to the county, not just through his stewardship of the KM Group but through his charitable work and particularly through his involvement in the British Legion.
“He has played an enormous part in making Kent the place it is and throughout the decades helped shape the county and he will be remembered for that.”
He would be remembered as “an urbane, charming and civilised man” who was “unfailingly courteous even if he disagreed with you.”
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