The role is a newly created position arising out of Chief Executive Ashley Highfield's recent strategic review. Neil (pictured) will report directly to the CEO and will be responsible for creating and driving Group commercial strategy, including advertising and overseeing the marketing function. He will be based at the Company's Charlotte Street, London offices.
Neil joins from News International Limited where he was Director of Commercial Strategy for three years, overseeing strategic relationships with NI's top advertisers and with leading media agencies. While at NI he significantly increased revenue from major advertisers and identified and grew new revenue streams.
Prior to NI Neil spent 17 years at Carat, one of the UK's leading media buying and planning agencies, the last four years of which was as Managing Director after three years as Commercial Director and three years as Client Services Director. During his tenure as Managing Director, Carat won numerous industry awards including Media Agency of the year from both Campaign and Media Week and over £500m of new business. He started his advertising career in 1986 with Saatchi & Saatchi before moving to Zenith in 1988 and Carat in 1991, where he subsequently became the youngest ever Carat Board Director.
Commenting on Neil's appointment, Chief Executive Ashley Highfield said: "I am really delighted that we have attracted someone of Neil's calibre to this important new role which will be key to top line growth. Neil will drive our national advertising sales, devise new joined-up propositions for advertisers across print and digital, and oversee all commercial revenues including circulation."
Neil will work closely with the Digital Development team in identifying growth opportunities and will be supported by Chris Babayode, the Group Commercial Director.
Neil Jones said: "Johnston Press is leading the transformation of regional media and I am delighted to be joining Johnston at such an exciting time for the industry. Ashley Highfield has an inspiring vision for the future and I look forward to commercially bringing it to life."
