Johnston Press chief executive Ashley Highfield has carried out a root-and-branch reorganisation of the ailing publisher's management structure.
It will result in a wholesale clear-out of senior executive staff. Others are being moved to different posts. And the initiative also means that many former divisional roles become, so to speak, "redundant".
For example, the jobs of divisional managing directors and divisional finance directors are to disappear immediately.
The rationalisation will see the creation of 11 publishing units, each with its own managing director reporting directly to the Johnston Press (JP) chief operating officer.
Highfield explained the moves to staff in an email today, by saying that his aim is "to create a flatter, more efficient organisation structure" with fewer layers between senior management and the subsidiary companies.
He said that the changes were necessary "to grow in the ever more highly competitive media landscape in which we operate."
The email contains a list of appointments and reappointments. But nine senior executives - Michael Johnston, Steve Brown, Richard Bell, David Caskie, Kathryn Armitage, Barrai McConville, Craig Fisher, Vince Lisle and Simon Howard - are said to be "on leave and in consultation with the company" (three of whom were identified here yesterday).
Highfield was appointed chief executive last year and started in the post in November. He ended his email by saying: "I will communicate again with all staff when we have concluded consultation with affected staff."
