The restructure includes combining teams who had previously worked for individual news titles, creating new roles to focus on digital growth areas and merging the current standalone KentOnline newsdesk into the wider editorial operation.
Nicola Everett, senior multimedia editor, will see her role expanded to focus on growing the KM’s podcast portfolio and working across the group’s digital, radio and TV operations.
Matt Ramsden, currently editor of the Medway Messenger and Gravesend Messenger titles, has been appointed senior editor for North and West Kent. This sees his remit expanded to take in the Kent Messenger Series, the Sheerness Times Guardian and Sittingbourne News.
News editors and reporters working on those titles will now form one larger team.
Joe Walker, currently editor of the Kentish Gazette and Thanet Extra, has been appointed senior editor for South and East Kent, with his portfolio expanding to incorporate the Kentish Express Series and the Folkestone Express. News editors and reporters on those titles will also now form a single team.
Current Kentish Express and Folkestone editor Robert Barman has been appointed to the new position of managing editor, where he will focus on new product launches alongside staff recruitment, training and retention.
New positions of Head of News (South and East Kent) and Head of News (North and West Kent) are being created to oversee the day-to-day operation of KentOnline.
Two new news editor positions are also being created as part of restructure, along with a new audience engagement editor position which will focus on expanding the group’s newsletter portfolio.
Ian Carter, editorial director at parent company Iliffe Media Group, said: “The KM is in a strong position, with its combined revenue from digital and radio eclipsing print. We are also seeing real benefits from our partnership with the University of Kent on KMTV.
“These changes are aimed at putting digital at the heart of everything we do. We are fortunate to have a very dedicated and talented team of news editors and reporters and want to make sure everyone has the opportunity to develop their career and skills.”
The KM is also relaunching its apprenticeship scheme, which was paused during the pandemic.
Ian said: “We’ve always been proud of the success of the scheme - some of our first apprentices are now working in managerial positions, others have gone on to successful television careers. It was frustrating to pause it, but it’s essential the people we take on benefit from real-life newsroom experience.”
No jobs will be lost in the restructure, says the company.
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