Viscount Rothermere appointed Northcliffe Chairman

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Wednesday 30 April 2003

(London - 30 April 2003) Viscount Rothermere has succeeded Ian Park as chairman of Northcliffe Newspapers. The change took place on May 15, 2003.

Ian Park has been chairman of Northcliffe Newspapers for eight years. He will continue his long and successful association with the Dail Mail and General Trust as a main board director, a post he has held since 1994.

Commenting on his resignation, Ian Park said: "I count myself lucky to have had eight years of continued involvement with Northcliffe after my retirement as managing director in 1995. I will be 68 this May, and it is time to stand down as chairman.

"I am delighted the Group's chairman, Lord Rothermere, himself a former managing director of our Tunbridge Wells group of newspapers, is to follow me as chairman of Northcliffe. It means our special corporate culture, particularly in editorial matters, is in safe hands."

Lord Rothermere said: "Ian Park has had an illustrious career and has been an inspirational influence to all of us in the industry who have had the honour to know him. Northcliffe Newspapers, in particular, has been incredibly fortunate that Ian has been its chairman and formerley its managing director over the past 21 years. We at DMGT are grateful that we will continue to benefit from his extremely valuable input to the Board."

Lord Rothermere has been chairman of the Daily Mail and General Trust since 1998. He was managing director of Courier Newspapers, the Kent division of Northcliffe Newspapers, from 1995-1997.

Enquiries:
Peter Williams, Finance Director, DMGT - 020 7938 6631
Kevin Beatty, Managing Director, Northcliffe Newspapers Group Ltd - 020 7400 1101