THE Kent Messenger Group's determination to become a fully 'joined-up' media group has been underlined with a new senior board-level appointment.

Chris Bisco, who steps down in December as managing director of the publishing division of the CN Group in Cumbria - ranked 12th in the regional league table of newspaper publishers in the UK - is to join the KM Group as interim managing director in January.

With a longstanding track record in the media industry, Mr Bisco will work alongside chairman Geraldine Allinson and the company's executive team to drive forward its business strategy across Kent and South East London.

The KM Group currently publishes seven paid-for weekly newspapers, 12 weekly free newspapers, specialist publications with a joint circulation of 1,166,000, plus its seven kmfm local radio stations, DAB radio and an internet presence through Kent Online.

With more than 20 years of experience in managing publishing businesses, Chris is eager to play his part in ensuring the KM Group builds upon its position as the leading media group in the county.

He said: "The KM Group’s history has much in common with the CN Group; both were born in the era of 'hot metal', both established a core title and then acquired further titles and in recent years branched out into local radio, as well as embracing the internet.

"The challenge now in our fast-moving world is for local newspaper groups to complete their transformation into multi-media providers of local news, information and advertising services.

"Like CN, the KM Group is well down the route of exploiting the new opportunities the multi-media world offers us. I’m looking forward very much to working with a new team in a new area."

Chairman Geraldine Allinson added: "I'm delighted Chris has agreed to bring his significant experience to Kent Messenger Group.

"Kent and Cumbria have a lot in common - a network of small towns with no single town dominating the economic landscape and a large rural populace.

"Both share a diverse economy with a tourism industry that plays an important part."