Telegraph Retains Deedes As Group Vice Chairman
The Telegraph Group has negotiated to retain the services of Jeremy Deedes as vice chairman, extending his role at the company beyond the initial period when he was brought out of retirement to oversee its sale earlier this year.
Deedes’ long-term return to the newspapers will no doubt be welcomed by staff, as the broadsheet boss has been credited with boosting morale at the group amid its recent transfer of ownership to the Barclay brothers.
60-year-old Deedes was originally managing director of the Telegraph, but stood down in November 2003 before being lured from retirement to oversee the newspapers’ sale from Hollinger (see Deedes Returns To Telegraph Group To Oversee Sale).
Deedes’ association with the company was due to end earlier this year following the sale’s completion, and Deedes stood down for a second time in August following the arrival of Murdoch Maclennan as the group’s new chief executive (see Telegraph Raids Rival Associated For New Chief Executive).
However, reports indicate that Deedes’ continued employment will involve him advising on the papers’ management and representing the group at functions and events for the foreseeable future. The move echoes that of Mr Deedes’ father, Bill, who returned from his own retirement at the request of then Telegraph editor, Max Hastings, in the 1980s.
Deedes’ continued involvement with the newspaper may see its plans for a tabloid edition put on the backburner, as reports suggest that he has grown to dislike the idea, having initially been involved in discussions over its creation.
The move to retain Deedes follows a number of high-level resignations at the Telegraph earlier this month, with managing director Hugo Drayton and finance director Niamh O’Donnell-Keenan giving up their positions amid dramatic management reshuffles at the company (see Telegraph Bosses Jump Ship As Barclays Plot New Course).
Telegraph Group: 020 7538 5000 www.telegraph.co.uk
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