The chief executive of Johnston Press, the owner of regional titles including the Yorkshire Post and the Blackpool Gazette, has resigned after seven years in the job.
Ashley Highfield has cited family reasons for his decision to resign from his role and directorship, and will not put himself up for re-election at the AGM next month.
The regional publisher said that Highfield is now planning to take up non-executive directorships “as the next phase of his career”.
Chief financial officer David King will replace Highfield as chief executive, with effect from the AGM. King’s replacement will be announced “in due course”.
Highfield leaves at a tumultuous time for the regional newspaper industry, with print circulations sliding, digital revenues growing slowly and rising pressure from the likes of Google and Facebook.
Camilla Rhodes, chairman of Johnston Press, said the company was “sorry that he felt that his personal circumstances required a change at this time”.
She added: “Ashley oversaw the successful acquisition of the i newspaper, has driven growth in our digital footprint, while making substantial progress in reorganising and restructuring our business. We wish him every success in the next phase of his career.”
Highfield, who previously worked for Microsoft and the BBC, said: “I have been privileged to lead Johnston Press during a period of unprecedented turbulence in our industry.
“Since 2011 we have grown our overall audience in particular our digital business, created an industry leading tele-sales operation and maintained margins.”
The company recently announced that revenue in 2017 fell by almost 10% to £201.6m, with adjusted profits falling to £40.1m from £43.9m.
Like for like advertising revenue across the group fell 13.5% and circulation revenue was down 4.9%, but average monthly unique users were up by 13% to 25.4m.
