Philip Graf returns to the newspaper arena with Archant

by Daniel Farey-Jones, Brand Republic 06-Feb-06, 11:00

LONDON – Philip Graf, the former chief executive of Trinity Mirror, has joined regional newspaper group Archant as a non-executive director.

The regional newspaper veteran's return to a company role comes in the same week as second-round offers are due in for Northcliffe Newspapers, with Newsquest being tipped as the frontrunner with a reported £1.5bn bid.

Although Archant is not participating in the bidding for Northcliffe, it may move in the event that the winner is compelled by competition rules to sell off part of the portfolio.

Graf's newspaper career developed at regional group Trinity, where he became chief executive in 1993, and dealt with Trinity's acquisition of Thomson Regional Newspapers in 1996.

Following Trinity's merger with Mirror Group Newspapers, Graf was made Trinity Mirror chief executive in 1999, but stepped down in September 2002, moving outside the newspaper industry.

After finishing a government review of the BBC's digital services, he joined communications regulator Ofcom as deputy chairman on January 1 this year.

Richard Jewson, Archant's chairman, said that the board would be strengthened by Graf's knowledge and experience of regional press, digital media and regulatory matters.

Archant owns 85 weekly papers, four daily papers including Eastern Daily Press, 120 websites and 75 magazines, and last year made revenues of £186m.

The deadline for second-round bids for Northcliffe is Wednesday. Johnston Press and Newsquest, owned by US group Gannett, are in the running, along with private equity groups Providence, Cinven and Candover. Johnston and Candover are operating together

If you have an opinion on this or any other issue raised on Brand Republic, join the debate in the Forum.