Business News

Johnston Press: Board Change

Monday 05. January 2009 - Johnston Press plc, one of the leading regional media groups in the UK and Ireland, announces that John Fry has today joined the Company as its new Chief Executive and has also been appointed as a Director.

He replaces Tim Bowdler, who stands down as Chief Executive and a Director of Johnston Press in anticipation of his planned retirement in May 2009 after 15 years with the Company. Mr Bowdler will be retained by Johnston Press for a period to assist in a smooth transfer of responsibilities.

John Fry was the former Chief Executive of the Norwich based regional media group, Archant. Prior to moving into the regional media sector in 2002, he was for nine years President of the information company Dun & Bradstreet for UK, Europe, Middle East and Africa, after four years as a consultant with Bain & Company. He started his career with Procter & Gamble. John is a graduate of Jesus College, Cambridge (MA Physics and Mathematics). He also holds an MBA from INSEAD where he won the Ford Prize for the top student in his year.

Tim Bowdler joined Johnston Press in January 1994 and since then has overseen a substantial expansion of the Company which has become the second largest regional newspaper publisher in the UK and the largest publisher of weekly newspapers in the Republic of Ireland. Under his leadership Johnston Press has achieved sustained industry leading performance. The Board of Johnston Press thanks Tim for the major contribution he has made to the Company and also to the wider regional newspaper publishing industry. They wish him well for the future.