View all newsletters
Sign up for our free email newsletters

Fighting for quality news media in the digital age.

  1. Publishers
  2. National Newspapers
June 3, 2013updated 04 Jun 2013 3:55pm

Sue Douglas takes charge of new Trinity Mirror subsidiary, including Sunday People

By Press Gazette

Sue Douglas, the former editor of the Sunday Express, has taken charge of a new Trinity Mirror subsidiary which will include the Sunday People less than a month after she failed in a takeover bid for the title.

The new Sunday Brands offshoot, which will be chaired by another new appointee Rupert Howell, will include Wales on Sunday, The Sunday Mail in Scotland, The Sunday Mercury in Birmingham and Newcastle’s The Sunday Sun.

Douglas said: "I've spent the last two years pursuing a dream to revitalise this part of the media market, so I'm thrilled to get the opportunity to lead the re-vamp of the Sunday People under James Scott's editorship, as well as develop the other Sunday titles.

“This is a chance to put energy, fun and great journalism into what will become a seven-day digital, one-day print operation."

Between them, the titles have a circulation in excess of 800,000.

Douglas led the Phoenix Ventures consortium in talks over taking a majority stake in The Sunday People but Trinity Mirror pulled out of negotiations last month. However, chief executive Simon Fox is said to have been impressed with Douglas’ ideas for the title.

In a statement to the stock market, Fox said: “”We have got to know Sue and Rupert well over the last few months and are really delighted that they have agreed to join us. Ours is a talent and content business, so to attract talent of this calibre is a real coup.”

Content from our partners
MHP Group's 30 To Watch awards for young journalists open for entries
How PA Media is helping newspapers make the digital transition
Publishing on the open web is broken, how generative AI could help fix it

Both new appointees will report directly to Fox after Howell was also appointed as group transformation director, charged with “accelerating the company’s strategic transformation plan”.

Howell commented: “I'm delighted to have this opportunity to continue working with Sue, and to work with Simon and (chief operating officer) Mark Hollinshead to drive Trinity Mirror forward. The Group faces a number of challenges in common with the rest of the sector, but is blessed with a fantastic stable of titles across the UK and the determination to pursue its clear strategy to transform its fortunes and build a dynamic and growing media business.”

Howell, a former commercial director at ITV, and Douglas are both expected to take up their new roles in the coming weeks.

Topics in this article :

Email pged@pressgazette.co.uk to point out mistakes, provide story tips or send in a letter for publication on our "Letters Page" blog

Select and enter your email address Weekly insight into the big strategic issues affecting the future of the news industry. Essential reading for media leaders every Thursday. Your morning brew of news about the world of news from Press Gazette and elsewhere in the media. Sent at around 10am UK time. Our weekly does of strategic insight about the future of news media aimed at US readers. A fortnightly update from the front-line of news and advertising. Aimed at marketers and those involved in the advertising industry.
  • Business owner/co-owner
  • CEO
  • COO
  • CFO
  • CTO
  • Chairperson
  • Non-Exec Director
  • Other C-Suite
  • Managing Director
  • President/Partner
  • Senior Executive/SVP or Corporate VP or equivalent
  • Director or equivalent
  • Group or Senior Manager
  • Head of Department/Function
  • Manager
  • Non-manager
  • Retired
  • Other
Visit our privacy Policy for more information about our services, how New Statesman Media Group may use, process and share your personal data, including information on your rights in respect of your personal data and how you can unsubscribe from future marketing communications.
Thank you

Thanks for subscribing.

Websites in our network