Former BBC online chief Ashley Highfield to head Johnston Press

The former editor-in-chief of BBC Online, Ashley Highfield, has been named as the new chief executive and director of Johnston Press.

He will succeed John Fry, who is due to step down on 31 October.

Highfield is currently responsible for Microsoft's UK Consumer and Online business, including the MSN group of sites.

Prior to joining Microsoft, he was director of future media and technology at the BBC, where he was responsible for the launch of the BBC iPlayer, and editor-in-chief of BBC Online. He went on to become chief executive of Project Kangaroo, a joint on-demand video project developed by BBC Worldwide, ITV and Channel 4.

He was replaced as director of future media and technology by Erik Huggers.

Highfield, who is 2004 was voted "top agenda setter" of the year by tech news site Silicon.com, was also previously managing director of Flextech, which became Virgin Media.

Ian Russell, chairman of Johnston Press said: "I am delighted to announce Ashley's appointment. His combined online and media sector pedigree will be a major strength in enabling us to grow our business again. On behalf of the board I would also like to thank John for his major contribution to the Company and wish him well for the future".

Fry announced back in March that he intended to step down within the next two years. He was appointed chief executive in January 2009, joining from Norwich-based regional media group Archant and succeeding Tim Bowdler, who retired.

Johnston Press announced in March last year that Fry was paid £959,000 for his first year with the company, despite redundancies across the group and a pay freeze for all staff.

His pay included: a £210,000 cash bonus; a £210,000 performance-related bonus paid in shares (deferred for three years); and a basic salary of £525,000.

Johnston Press could not confirm Highfield's salary, but said that he would receive £500,000 worth of company shares as part of its PSP (LTIP) scheme.

The company is currently involved in a strike dispute in South Yorkshire, where 25 journalists from the South Yorkshire Times, Selby Times, Doncaster Free Press and Epsworth Bells Times are on indefinite strike over planned cutbacks in the region.

The NUJ has criticised the Johnston Press' handling of the dispute and called for government-funded conciliation service ACAS to broker the dispute.

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