Lloyd Embley and Alun Edmunds announcement:
We are extremely sorry to announce that after 25 years with the business, John Kierans has decided to step down as Editor-in-Chief. You can read Jumbo’s own words on his decision at the end of this message.
Group Editor-in-Chief Lloyd Embley said: “I have had the pleasure of working with Jumbo for his entire Mirror career. His contribution to the Irish Mirror, the Irish arm of the business and the wider group has been immense. I’d like to wish him and Karen the very best of luck for the future - a future which will include a column in his beloved Mirror. In his own words - he has plenty to say!”
As we said on 7 July, we are embarking on a major transformation of the group to protect our business and newsbrands for the long term.
So, in Ireland, as with the whole Reach business, we must now refocus and reshape our structure and the way we operate around our customer value strategy and in the context of the new market conditions in which we are operating.
We are delighted to announce that Chris Sherrard has been appointed to the new role of Audience and Content Director for Ireland, leading our editorial operation across digital and print.
Chris has played a pivotal role in the creation and expansion of our Live network of websites and is the perfect candidate for this challenging new position.
In our new structure, Chris will report to Chief Audience officer David Higgerson.
The commercial side of the business in Ireland will still be led by Joanne McGreevy who has been appointed Marketplace Publisher, reporting to Alan. Joanne and Chris will work closely together to lead the Irish business to future growth.
John Kierans message:
The sudden death of my father Johnny a few weeks ago has led me to reconsider many things in my life. Consequently I have had a long hard think about what I wanted to do with the rest of my day career. I have now decided to step down as Editor of the Mirror in Ireland, with immediate effect.
I am and always will be a Mirror man. I love the paper, our websites and the many wonderful colleagues I have had the privilege of working with over the last 25 years. I leave the business in great shape with 87% of Irish people reading our stories in print or on our websites every single day.
I will continue my association with the Mirror by writing a NEW weekly column, as I have a big mouth with plenty to say! I would never have achieved all my career success without the support of my wonderful wife Karen and children Katie and JP. Our home was a newsroom 24/7.
I also want to thank the MD of Reach in Ireland Joanne McGreevy. Together over the last quarter of a century we built the business up from nothing, to what it is today. She has been a brilliant colleague and friend.
“To every Mirror journalist in Ireland and Britain: thank you for your professionalism - you are the best in the business. I am very pleased that one of our most talented protégé Chris Sherrard will be running the Irish business. He will build his own wonderful legacy and I wish him every success.
“I know the Reach Executive team including Jim Mullen, Lloyd Embley and Alan Edmunds will continue to grow the business as they care passionately about the brand, its people and the product.”
