THE Kent Messenger Group has made three senior appointments.

Simon Irwin, associate director editorial, and Simon Clubley, associate director advertising, have both been promoted to the full board. Geraldine Allinson becomes general manager and associate director. Mr Irwin is editorial director from January 1, and Mr Clubley advertisement director. Before joining KMG in 1998, Mr Irwin, 41, was assistant editor of The Western Mail in Cardiff.

At KMG, he was successively West Kent senior editor and editorial manager before promotion to associate director. He previously worked for the Derby Evening Telegraph, Radio Hallam Sheffield, The Star Sheffield and the Coventry Evening Telegraph. He began his journalistic career as a reporter with the Mansfield Chad.

Mr Irwin lives in Kennington, near Ashford, with wife Debra and their two children. He is a member of the Institute of Directors and the Association of Editors.

Mr Clubley, 38, joined the KMG in 1996 from the Swindon Evening Advertiser where he was deputy advertisement manager. He was advertisement sales manager, Chatham, before promotion to senior advertisement manager North Kent, and group advertisement manager.

He previously worked for United Newspapers, Hull Daily Mail Publications, Yorkshire Regional Newspapers, and Sunday Correspondent. Mr Clubley lives in Charing, near Ashford, with wife Kaye and their two children. He is a member of the Institute of Directors and a graduate of the Common Purpose programme.

Mrs Allinson will expand her role in the company in the new position of general manager and associate director. Her increased responsibilities include personnel, training, information technology and services.

Mrs Allinson, 36, joined the KMG in 1993 and has held a number of senior positions, including assistant to the managing director, and deputy to the group sales development director.

She has previously worked for the Wolverhampton Express and Star and Northcliffe Newspapers, and was editor and chief executive of Maidstone-based Star Publishing.

She lives near Charing with her husband and two children, and is a member of the Institute of Directors and The Worshipful Company of Stationers and Newspapermakers.

David Lewis, KMG chief executive, said: "The board and staff wish them every success in their new roles."