DAVID Lewis, managing director of the Kent Messenger Group, has been appointed chief executive.

Edwin Boorman, the Newspaper Society's immediate past president, remains executive chairman.

"For some time, David has really been our chief executive and it is high time that it is officially recognised," said Mr Boorman.

"David and I work well together. We share the same values. During the last 12 months, while I have been president of the Newspaper Society, David has taken the responsibility for all that happens at the KM.

"During that time, he has had spectacular success. The KM was chosen as the weekly newspaper of the year for the second time running, our company was ranked by The Sunday Times as one of the best 100 companies to work for - the only member of our industry to make the grade - and circulation of all our weeklies has increased, making the Kent Messenger the largest single regional weekly in the country.

"At almost 67, I must consider how to hand responsibility for the KM to the next generation.

"My children, Geraldine and Henry, have expressed a wish to continue the family traditions. The whole family is indebted to David who along with the associate directors - Simon Clubley, Gavin de Carle, Duncan Gray and Simon Irwin - will lead the executive team into the next generation.

"Our core business must continue to grow while we develop our radio stations, contract printing, Internet and niche publications, reinforcing our strengths as an expanding media company in Kent.

"Thanks to David, the change to younger members of the executive team and family will appear to be seamless".

David, 54, joined the Kent Messenger Group in 1994 as editorial director. In 1996, he took on the expanded role of publishing director responsible for the editorial, advertising and newspaper sales departments and joined the KMG board. He was appointed managing director in 1999.

He started his career with North of England Newspapers on his home town evening paper, the Evening Despatch in Darlington.

He moved within the group to his first editorship at the Bradford Star free newspaper before being appointed editor of Kentish Times Newspapers, Sidcup, then Westminster Press' largest weekly newspaper group.

David ultimately became Deputy Managing Director during two changes of ownership but moved on to Associated Newspapers in London in 1990 as a consultant helping co-ordinate business development projects with the Daily Mail and Evening Standard.

A strong advocate of promoting the strengths of local news and information, he is adopting the same policy with each of the company's five radio stations as chairman of KM Radio Limited, the company's new radio subsidiary. To date, all stations are showing encouraging growth in listening figures.