THE Press has strengthened its senior management team with two new appointments.

Newsquest York, publisher of The Press, has appointed Robin Bate as head of advertising and James Espin as newspaper sales manager.

Robin was previously display advertising manager with Grimsby and Scunthorpe Media.

He said his focus would be on maintaining high levels of customer service and ensuring sales executives were fully informed to provide the best possible advice to advertisers.

“We’re planning to review the advertising packages in order to deliver a wider audience to our advertisers incorporating our entire range of products,” he said.

James rejoins The Press, having held the role of head of circulation and marketing from 1997 to 2003. During his tenure, the then Evening Press won the prestigious Newspaper Society circulation increase award for having the largest growing newspaper circulation in the country in its category.

James will be starting a canvassing operation for new home-delivered readers.

He said: “I am absolutely committed to working closely and in partnership with proactive news retailers to grow the sale of The Press.”

Steve Hughes, managing editor of The Press, said: “We are the area’s leading provider of news, information and sport and our audience is continuing to grow. These appointments will allow us to improve our products and services even further.”