BBC's Ashley Highfield appointed CEO of Johnston Press

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The former Microsoft and BBC digital executive is to succeed John Fry as chief executive of regional newspaper publisher Johnston Press

Ashley Highfield, the former BBC and Microsoft senior executive, has been appointed the new chief executive of newspaper publisher Johnston Press – and been given a £500,000 "golden hello" share package.

Highfield, who will start his new role on 1 November, announced he was leaving his role as head of Microsoft UK's consumer and online business earlier this week.

The former head of the BBC's new media and technology division will succeed John Fry, who announced in March that he intended to stand down from Johnston Press after a little over two years in the role.

The regional newspaper publisher has struggled to reinvent its business model for the digital age – only about 7% of total revenues come from digital sources – and the company is struggling with a huge debt burden and tough advertising market.

"His combined online and media sector pedigree will be a major strength in enabling us to grow our business again," said Ian Russell, chairman of Johnston Press. "On behalf of the board I would also like to thank John for his major contribution to the company and wish him well for the future."

Highfield is to be given £500,000 in shares as part of the company's long-term incentive programme.

Earlier this week, Microsoft moved to replace Highfield with Andy Hart, formerly one of the Daily Mail & General Trust's most senior digital executives, who took the slightly different role leading the technology giant's advertising and online business in the UK.

Hart, who left DMGT in 2008, had been responsible for the development of key DMGT web properties such as ThisisLondon.co.uk, Femail.co.uk, and DailyMail.co.uk, which are now grouped together under the Mail Online brand.

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Mark Sweney

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Josh Halliday, Charles Arthur, James Ball 28 Jul, 2011

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Source: http://www.guardian.co.uk/media/2011/jul/28/ashley-highfield-appointed-ceo-johnston-press
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