Richard Withey given new role at Independent News & Media

Richard Withey, managing director of Independent Digital (UK), publisher of www.independent.co.uk, has been appointed Global Director – Interactive Media of the parent company, Independent News & Media PLC .

In this new role, Mr Withey will be responsible for the group's interactive strategy and efficient execution, and for benchmarking existing digital activities. He will also retain responsibility for the UK digital division.

Mr Withey joined Independent in 1999 following 12 years at News International, where – for seven years – he was Director of New Media, formulating the overall strategy for the successful launch on the Web of The Times, The Sunday Times and The Times Educational Supplements.

Gavin O'Reilly, Chief Operating Officer of Independent News & Media said: "Richard has been a beacon of wisdom in our understanding of the difficult digital area. We believe that the global coverage of our newspapers offers real possibilities for the future development of this important area of our business, and I look forward to Richard's continued and expanding contribution to our group's interactive activities."

Richard Withey said: "I have enjoyed my first three years with Independent immensely, and I'm looking forward to helping the Group further its interactive interests globally, as well as continuing to build on our many successes in the UK."

He is visiting Professor of Media Information at City University, and serves on the Advisory Group of the British Newspapers Library.