Robert Hardie takes over as head of publishing for Northcliffe's local websites

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Northcliffe Digital has named the new head of its Localpeople and thisis network of websites, following the departure of Seamus McCauley last week .

Robert Hardie, who was most recently digital publishing director at the publisher, has been appointed as head of digital publishing. He will be responsible for the publishing team across Northcliffe Media's portfolio of digital properties, which include the local media sites.

Hardie has a long career history in local media, having worked as managing editor of the Bailey Newspaper Group. He has held several roles at Northcliffe, including as content manager of its electronic publishing arm from 2001 to 2006 and managing editor of Associated Northcliffe Digital from 2006 to 2007.

As content strategy director for Northcliffe Media, Hardie oversaw the roll out of new site designs for the thisis network of local news sites, including 35 new websites .

Northcliffe launched its network of Localpeople sites in the summer of 2009 and now publishes 123 sites across the south east, south and south west of England.