Thirty-eight editorial jobs are under threat at Northcliffe Media’s South East division as part of the company’s latest editorial restructure.
Management said the proposals were aimed at integrating editorial production across Essex, Surrey, Sussex and Kent, and will see the creation of four new senior editor positions to work in the regions’ “flagship titles”.
It also plans to “increase user-generated content, further develop digital platforms and encourage more flexible and modern working practices across the businesses”.
The proposals affect staff on the editorial teams at Courier Media Group, Essex Chronicle Media Group, East Surrey and Sussex News and Media and Kent Regional News and Media.
Seven production staff working across the South East are also likely to be affected.
Here is the breakdown of the proposed cuts:
- Courier Media Group – 10
- East Surrey and Sussex News and Media – 12
- Essex Chronicle Media Group – 4
- Kent Regional News and Media – 5
- Production, photographic and regional management – 7
Richard Karn, managing director South East said: “We need to continue to respond to challenging trading conditions to ensure we have viable, modern businesses moving forward.
“We will be re-investing and modernising our approach as part of this proposal and like any change it will create new opportunities for some colleagues to develop their careers within our businesses.”
The proposals are subject to 30 days statutory consultation and if approved are expected to be implemented between October 2012 and January 2013.
The move comes a month after award-winning Essex Chronicle editor Alan Geere, who is also editorial director of Northcliffe South East, announced he is leaving the company to take up a lecturing post at Uganda’s Victoria University. The role of editorial director is not being replaced.
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