Popular general manager Russell Broughton leaves NZME and Hawke's Bay Today

Russell Broughton, the general manager of NZME Central region and his wife, Robyn, at his farewell function at Hawke's Bay Today's Hastings offices yesterday. Photo/Paul Taylor

Russell Broughton, the general manager of NZME Central region, has resigned from his role, which includes running the commercial operations of Hawke's Bay Today and NZME's radio stations in the Bay.

Mr Broughton, who has had more than three decades in the media industry and has been based in Hawke's Bay since 2010, is leaving to pursue other interests and spend more time travelling with his wife, Robyn.

Hawke's Bay Today editor Andrew Austin said Mr Broughton would be missed by staff and customers alike.

"Russell is a people person and he has that ability to form lasting relationships with people from all walks of life. He has driven the business successfully and has also been a champion of Hawke's Bay.

"He has been at the forefront of steering the paper and the company in this region through many changes. We wish him our very best for the future."

Mr Broughton said he had absolutely loved leading the team at NZME over the past seven and a half years.

"They are a wonderful team and the business is in tremendous heart which does make it a little easier to leave."

He started his long career with the Manawatu Evening Standard in the 1980s, and subsequently held a number of positions with Independent Newspapers Ltd titles of which are now published by Fairfax Media. In 2001, he returned to the publishing business as general manager of the then independently owned Wairarapa Times-Age, subsequently acquired by APN News and Media. He moved within the company to be general manager of Fraser Coast Chronicle, based in Hervey Bay.

In April 2010, he returned to New Zealand as general manager Hawke's Bay Newspapers. During this period, Hawkes Bay Today became a morning newspaper, with the weekday editions now appearing in compact format. He headed a project to see the Hastings-based business move into a new building in Heretaunga St East, and the outsource printing of the newspaper to Beacon Print in Hastings.

Mr Broughton took up his current role in June 2016, to lead the commercial activities of the business and has facilitated the integration of sales of NZME's radio, print and digital portfolio for the Hawkes Bay, Gisborne, Whanganui and Manawatu regions.

He took on a number of NZME group projects including oversight of NZME's rural print publications, comprising the six-title weekly product previously known as The Land. Mr Broughton also currently serves as a director of Wairoa Star Co Ltd.

His last day in the office was Friday.