Geraldine Allinson to step down as chairman of the KM Group

The long-serving chairman of the KM Group, publisher of this website, will step down from her role on Friday after 13 years in the post.

Geraldine Allinson will be succeeded as managing director by James Gurney, the current MD of the Newbury Weekly News.

KM Media Group chairman Geraldine Allinson who steps down on Friday
KM Media Group chairman Geraldine Allinson who steps down on Friday

She took over the company in 2006 following the retirement of her father, Edwin Boorman who, himself, had taken over the role in 1986 from his father.

During her stay, she oversaw the takeover of the family firm by the Iliffe Media Group in 2017, a move which saw investment in the Kent media company.

Her replacement will head up an enlarged business unit comprising of the KM Group and the Newbury Weekly News.

Edward Iliffe, chairman of Iliffe Media Group said: “I would like to thank Geraldine for the service and dedication that she has shown to the KM Group over the past 25 years and in particular for the past two years service since Iliffe Media acquired the KM Group.

"I am pleased to say that Geraldine will remain as a non-executive director of Iliffe Media Group and will continue to represent the group at an industry level, providing continuity with the News Media Association (NMA), the Radiocentre [the industry body for commercial radio] and the Press Association (PA)”.

James Gurney will take over as managing director of the KM Group
James Gurney will take over as managing director of the KM Group

At the same time, Iliffe Media Group is combining the publishing units in the east and the Midlands. This new enlarged division will be headed up by Ricky Allan, the current MD of Iliffe Media East.

Richard Parkinson, the current MD of Iliffe Media Midlands will take up the new position of group development director.

He will be responsible for establishing consistent group standards, policies and approaches to sales, marketing, branding, reporting and audience monetisation, across all platforms.

Group editorial director Ian Carter will be responsible for establishing consistent standards and efficiencies across all editorial departments and working with editors to maximise audience growth.

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