Archant, the leading independent regional media business, announced today [21 August 2014] the appointment of Jeff Henry as its new chief executive.  He will join the business on September 1, 2014.

“We are delighted that Jeff, with his breadth of experience and expertise across the world of multi-media and content and his outstanding commercial track record, is going to lead the business forward,”said Simon Bax, chairman of Archant.

“With our powerful portfolio of newspapers, magazines, websites, mobile apps, events and our newly-launched local TV station, this business has a great opportunity to be the most innovative local media business in the UK and to provide our consumers and commercial partners with new ways to engage with all the content we create. 

“We have an exciting time ahead and I look forward very much to Jeff joining the team.”

Jeff Henry has a long and successful background in the media business.  He has held senior management positions at a number of companies including Scottish TV, NYNEX and London News Network.

After that he successfully launched a number of new cable channels and digital platforms, first as CEO at Granada Sky Broadcasting and then throughout Europe for the Hallmark Channel. He then joined ITV as the CEO of ITVC where he was responsible for building a business focused on local digital and consumer revenues.

Jeff was most recently the CEO of Filmflex Movies, a joint venture between Sony Pictures Television and The Walt Disney Company, which he developed into one of the largest white label, video on demand (VOD) businesses in Europe.

FilmFlex Movies powered the film VOD services for companies like Virgin Media, EE and TalkTalk.  He steered its successful development over three years and oversaw its sale to Vubiquity in May 2014.

Jeff Henry said: “Archant has a fantastic heritage, an exciting vision, powerful local brands and a great ambition to take the business forward.

”I am delighted to have the opportunity to be able to lead the business at this time, as media habits change and our communities demand news, information and other content across multiple platforms. I look forward to working with the team at Archant in making it the most progressive local media business in the UK.”