IPC moves Reeve-Smith as Davidson takes over

IPC Magazines has replaced Colin Reeve-Smith, managing director of the monthlies division which publishes titles such as Marie Claire and Essentials, with Nigel Davidson, managing director of IPC weeklies.

Reeve-Smith, who has been managing director of the IPC SouthBank Group for ten years, will take on an international and business development role.

Davidson will remain as managing director of the IPC Weeklies Group and the 18 SouthBank titles will be added to his remit as group managing director.

Davidson will be supported by Chris Boyd, former publishing director of the TV listings titles, who becomes managing director of the SouthBank Group.

IPC sources expect further restructuring to follow and believe the weakness of the women’s general interest titles contributed to Reeve-Smith’s move. “There has been a general feeling that some of the check-out magazines could be doing better,” says one insider. “Nigel and the weeklies are doing nicely and it was decided to move some of his skills to SouthBank.”

IPC’s general interest titles Essentials, Family Circle and Living have suffered large falls in circulation over the past two years following moves by supermarkets either to clear their checkouts or promote their own magazines in their place.

Boyd’s replacement will be announced in mid-July.