The shareholders of Allied Newspapers Limited and of Progress Press Company Limited have appointed new managing directors following the retirement of the managing directors of both companies.

Ronald Agius and Wilfrid Asciak have retired after 35 years and 31 years in office respectively. Mr Agius held the post of managing director of Allied Newspapers Ltd and Mr Asciak that of Progress Press.

Mr Agius is succeeded by Vincent Buhagiar, who is also to occupy the office of chairman, Progress Press, formerly also held by Mr Agius.

Austin Bencini and Adrian Hillman have been appointed joint managing directors of Progress Press.

It was resolved that Dr Bencini will be principally responsible for the trading operations of the company and Mr Hillman will assume responsibility for printing operations.

The annual general meeting of Allied Newspapers, which met at Le Meridien Phoenicia, in Floriana yesterday also elected Dr Bencini and Mr Hillman as directors to the board.

The retirement of Anthony Montanaro from the board of directors of both Allied Newspapers and Progress Press was announced during the same AGM. Mr Montanaro is a former editor of The Sunday Times.

A vote of thanks for the loyal and dedicated service of the retiring members was unanimously carried by the members present at the meeting.