US newspaper group Gannett is to reorganise its community publishing division.

As part of the reorganisation its current five regional groups will become four groups: East, South, Interstate and West.

“This reorganisation both refines our structure and puts our top people in key jobs with expanded responsibilities around the country,” said Robert Dickey, president of the US Community Publishing division.

“This will allow us to realign our strategic objectives and focus on top line growth as we go forward.

“In particular, I would like to welcome Laura Hollingsworth to the rank of group president. In a relatively brief time at the helm of the Des Moines paper, she has demonstrated great skill, leadership and savvy. She’s a fine example of the great up and coming management talent we have at Gannett.

“However, we will be saying good-bye to two outstanding executives who have been instrumental in the accomplishments of our division for several years. Barbara Henry and Denise Ivey will be sorely missed, but we wish them well as they move into the next phase of their lives,” Dickey said.

“We deeply appreciate all they have done for Gannett.”

The rejig also involves several executive appointments and two retirements.