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Eastern

Senior circulation executive dismissed as Archant unable to publish ABC figures for 14 newspapers amid staffing changes

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By The Drum Team, Editorial

August 29, 2012 | 3 min read

Following the dismissal of Don Williamson, the senior circulation executive, over the filing of inaccurate figures to the official industry auditor, it has been reported that Archant has been unable to publish circulation figures for 14 of its regional newspapers.

The Audit Bureau of Circulations, the bi-annual publisher of the audited figures for 1,000-plus regional UK newspapers, was unable to provide official certificates for Archant's paid-for newspapers in Norfolk and Suffolk for 2012.

The Eastern Daily Press sold 53,548 copies a day in the last six months of last year, but reported a total circulation of 59,802 when bulks [free copies given to the public via gyms, hotels etc.] were included.

The ABC certificates for 14 Archant titles – including the East Anglian Daily Times, Evening Star in Ipswich and the Evening News in Norwich – have been pulled for the second half of 2011, whilst no certificate has been issued for the first half of 2012.

Speaking to the Guardian a> a spokesman for Archant said: "We can confirm that a senior circulation manager has been dismissed following an internal investigation. We are working with ABC in reviewing the reporting of certain bulk copies in the second half of 2011."

The news has come as Archant Anglia announced changes to its senior editorial teams in Norfolk and Suffolk.

Peter Waters resigned with immediate effect from his position as editor of Eastern Daily Press, prior to this role Waters was the deputy editor between 2006 and 2009.

Nigel Pickover, editor of the Ipswich Star since 1996, was revealed as the editor-in-chief at Archant Norfolk and Tim Williams, currently editor of the Norwich Evening News, took up the position of development editor - leading new product development and providing support across Anglia. In Suffolk, Terry Hunt, editor of the East Anglian Daily Times for the past 17 years, was appointed editor-in-chief.

Nigel, Terry and Tim will report to Bob Crawley, the recently appointed publishing director at Archant Anglia.

Johnny Hustler, managing director at Archant, commented on the move: "The appointment of Nigel and Terry to these new roles is a very significant move for our business.

"Our world is evolving rapidly. Side by side our newspapers, new digital platforms and social media give both us and our customers a myriad of new opportunities to interact together – and communities increasingly want their own voices heard. I believe that Nigel and Terry have the skills needed to lead us through this evolution.

"It is sad that Peter Waters is leaving us and we are thankful for the important work that he has done."

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