News International exec joins Mirror as MD

Dominic Ponsford

Trinity Mirror has appointed a former News International general manager as managing director of its national titles.

Richard Webb, 46, will be in charge of the
commercial side of the Daily Mirror, Sunday Mirror and People.
Webb will not be involved in the editorial side of the business, unlike
his predecessor Ellis Watson.
Watson, departed in May this year after two years as first general
manager and then managing director of MGN. National editors had
reported to Watson, but under the new regime they will report directly
to Trinity Mirror chief executive Sly Bailey.

Watson was another former News International man who had been in charge of marketing for The Sun and News of the World.

Webb spent five years as general manger in charge
of the Sun and News of the World. Before that he was advertising
director of The Sun and News of the World from 1995 to 2000.
His last job was deputy managing director of media planning and buying
company Optimedia. He has previously been chairman of the Newspaper
Marketing Agency and a director of the National Readership
Survey.

Bailey said: “Richard’s experience and track
record make him a great addition to our management team. We are
delighted to welcome him to the Group.”

Webb will join the company on January 3.