Merger for all of Trinity Mirror’s Scots titles

THE Daily Record and Sunday Mail have merged with Scottish and Universal Newspapers to combine all of Trinity Mirror’s titles north of the Border into one division.

Mark Hollinshead, managing director, yesterday announced the creation of Media Scotland and a reshuffle of senior management which has seen the departure of the Record and Mail editor-in-chief Bruce Waddell.

Media Scotland consists of 300 journalists at the two national newspapers and 20 local titles including the Ayrshire Post, Hamilton Advertiser, Paisley Daily Express and West Lothian Courier. It also embraces the Business Insider magazine, an events business and 36 websites.

Allan Rennie has been appointed editor-in-chief of Media Scotland with responsibility for all titles and editorial websites. He was previously development director for Trinity Mirror nationals.

Speaking to The Scotsman, he admitted the newly-combined group had made the change as a defensive measure in a difficult media environment but said it was also an opportunity to grow the business.

“Of course it is defensive to protect our current position, but there are opportunities we can exploit by coming together,” he said.

Rennie, a former editor of the Sunday Mail, declined to elaborate on how the changes might impact on jobs or the titles. Trinity Mirror has closed a number of local papers in other parts of the UK.

Alan Woodison, group editor of S&UN, will report to Rennie. Bill Steven, managing director of S&UN, will report to Hollinshead as business development director for Media Scotland. His role will include identifying new markets and areas for growth.

Denise West, commercial director for the Record and Mail, takes an extended role for Media Scotland.

Peter McClurg, marketing and newspaper sales manager for S&UN, will report to John Howard, circulation director, nationals division. Mark Mountford, finance director, and Lesley Sommerville, HR director, both extend their responsibilities across the new group.