Melly resigns from Standard Group posts

By STANDARD REPORTER

Mr Paul Melly has resigned as the Standard Group’s Deputy Chairman and Chief Executive.

“The Board of the Standard Group regrets to announce that it has Friday received notification of a decision by Paul Melly, the deputy Chairman and Chief Executive to leave the business within the next six months in accordance with the terms of his engagement in order to pursue other interests,” read a statement signed by board chairman Robin Sewell Friday.

It added: “The board of directors will now begin in earnest the process of appointing a new chief executive in order to ensure a seamless transition of management and meet continued strategic growth agenda of business.”

Melly has been with the business for the last seven and a half years having joined the Board in December 2004.

Over the years, Melly has overseen the turnaround of the country’s oldest media house. This is exemplified by impressive financial results last year, which saw the print business post a pretax profit of Sh446 million.

In clear indications that the transformation strategy, which began in 2004 was bearing fruits, the Group's turnover hit the Sh3 billion threshold for the first time in the history of the company.

This change in fortunes is largely attributed to continued improvement in internal efficiencies and growth in circulation- that has doubled- and advertising revenues in print, broadcast and online business.

It was supported by major expansion and investment programmes aimed at building critical pillars in infrastructure in the print and broadcast business.

Among the landmark investments is the Sh1.2 billion customised modern production solution and head office complex — The Standard Group Centre- along Mombasa Road. The investment has consolidated all operations of the media house.

The Group’s investment in TV broadcast saw the acquisition of cutting-edge broadcast technology with respect to a virtual studio and Satellite Mobile News Gathering facilities to embolden the market leadership of the KTN brand.

Others are the Standard Digital platform, which was enhanced into a one-stop destination that offers users all the latest news, features and analysis from KTN, Radio Maisha, and the group’s newspapers, The Standard, The Standard on Saturday, The Standard on Sunday and The County Weekly.

 A solid financial base, re-engineered business operations, an enhanced corporate profile and significant investment in development of the company’s valued human capital have been cornerstone of the Standard Group’s growth.

Melly also steered the company through challenging times. A strong defender of press freedom, he rallied the country to denounce the March 2 2006 raid by State agents.

Also he was instrumental in talks to avert the threat of demolition of the newly opened Standard Group Centre.

After appointment to the board in 2004, Melly was subsequently promoted to Deputy Chairman and Strategy Advisor in April 2005 a full time responsibility charged with the strategic leadership of the business.

Later, he was appointed Deputy Chairman and Chief Strategist rising to his current position as Deputy Chairman and Chief Executive.

He had served the Group “passionately and diligently,” said the board, and has been instrumental in the Standard Group’s “dramatic business transformation, growth and positioning as a media house of growing influence.”

“Paul Melly is credited with significant achievements and leaves substantial indelible marks of milestones that the Board, shareholders and employees of the Group shall forever acknowledge as a demonstration of commitment to the success of the business.”

“The business shall certainly miss his contribution but respects his decision to leave out of his own volition at this moment of time,” the statement added.

Sewell, on behalf of the board, staff and shareholders, thanked Melly for the invaluable contribution to the business and wished him well in his future endeavors.