Archant appoints new chief executive

archantArchant has appointed Adrian Jeakings chief executive to replace John Fry, who is defecting to rival regional publisher, Johnston Press. Jeakings, currently group finance director at Archant, will take up his new role on November 1.

This week it was revealed that Fry would replace Tim Bowdler as chief executive of Johnston Press, though it is not clear when he will commence in his new role. Bowdler announced plans to step down from his position earlier this year and could remain with the publisher until May next year.

Jeakings was also previously group finance director of The Stationery Office, a provider of information management services to the Government and industry.

Prior to that role, he held a number of senior positions at Schlumberger, Graco and Dun & Bradstreet.

Jeakings has worked closely with Fry Archant, since 2002, while the publisher was undergoing a period of rapid change and investment.

As part of the developments within Archant, Brian McCarthy will replace Jeakings as group finance director. He will move from his position as finance director of Archant Regional which he has occupied since 2004.