RICHARD KARN is one of the most respected media people in the South East and for 12
years, from 2004, was Managing Director of Courier Media Group in Tunbridge Wells.
He has now been appointed Business Development Manager at One Media, publishers
of the Times of Tunbridge Wells, the Times of Tonbridge and SO Magazines.
Richard, who started his career in advertising sales working for the Courier in 1986, has a long association with the area, having been educated at Uplands in Wadhurst and having started his career as a management trainee with high street retailer WH Smith in Tunbridge Wells.
Speaking of his appointment, Richard said: “It’s refreshing to work with a local
publisher confident about the economic vibrancy of Tunbridge Wells, Tonbridge and
the surrounding areas.
“The towns are at the centre of their own unique geographic footprints that defy definition by county boundaries.
“One Media is uniquely focused on providing a service at the heart of the local community
centred on Tunbridge Wells and Tonbridge and I look forward to helping them innovate and develop their portfolio to the benefit of local residents and advertisers.”
In 1993, Richard took up the role of General Manager and later Assistant Managing Director of the Leicester Mercury – at the time one of Northcliffe Media’s largest daily titles. In this role he was responsible for product development and electronic publishing.
Having been involved in the launch of the Leicester Mercury’s first online site, he was
transferred to become Chief Operating Officer and later Managing Director of the
group’s digital division. He led the redevelopment of a national digital platform to support Northcliffe’s regional newspaper businesses and also represented the group as a
Director of Fish4 – the regional newspaper classified business for jobs, homes and cars.
Richard left the Courier in April 2016 shortly after the business had been acquired by Trinity Mirror PLC and set up Fourscore Consulting Limited. Since 2016 he has been working with Newsquest Essex as Acting Advertisement Director.
He is also an amateur musician – playing the church organ at both Ticehurst and Ewhurst Green in East Sussex and is also Chair of Governors at Heathfield Community College and a director of the Heathfield Partnership.
