Associated Newspapers gears up for further reorganisation of staff

Staff at Associated Newspapers are bracing themselves for further changes, following the departure of Evening Standard City Editor Ian Griffiths last week and ahead of Max Hastings’ arrival as editor.

The Standard’s fashion editor Alison Veness is known to be leaving the title at the end of the year and a number of sections face the axe.

The London Voice section, which campaigns on local London issues, is under threat after the decision to axe its Man on The Clapham Omnibus feature. There is also speculation that the title is planning to broaden its readership out of central London.

The title’s Media section is also believed to be at risk, as Hastings cut such coverage from The Daily Telegraph. However, insiders maintain that Associated chairman Sir David English has intervened personally to safeguard the section’s future.

Griffiths made way for Standard managing director Anthony Hilton who has been replaced by Mail on Sunday managing director Ian Pay.

Guy Zitter, managing director of the Daily Mail, is one name tipped to replace Pay and take on the running of both the Daily and Sunday titles.

However, Associated sources are also tipping the Mail on Sunday’s ad sales director Simon Barnes for the job, and his deputy Sally De La Bedoyere as his replacement. Both Pay and Zitter declined to comment on planned changes.