Changes to regional newspaper business in the South of England

Management and structural changes will make the company's titles stronger, more efficient and better prepared to face the challenges of the competitive southern market.

They follow the acquisition of Southnews, whose titles will come under the umbrella of Trinity Mirror Southern. There will be seven operating units replacing the current 16 within Southnews plus the existing Trinity Newspapers Southern business.

TMS titles will now work closely together to cross-sell and share resources.

"The restructure will help us to develop our brands, use our resources effectively and efficiently, and make the most of our high-calibre people to take the business forward", said Colin Houghton, Trinity Mirror Southernundefineds Managing Director.

"Our long-term aim is to make significant investment in both people and systems across TMS, to develop our business and benefit our readers and advertisers."

TMS has already made three major appointments in the form of directors for HR, IT and Marketing, together with Simon Edgley as Managing Director of Trinity Newspapers Southern,

Management changes in the former Southnews business announced today are: - Vic Catanach becomes Managing Director of a newly formed West London & Bucks business with Jeremy Moreton as Assistant Managing Director. Rob Harrison, Michelle Wylie and Richard Codd become the new Publishing Directors for Kent, Essex and Surrey. Nigel Botherway becomes Senior Publisher of Skyport Business and Alison Cruse and Zoe Cooper take up the positions of Senior Publishers at Enfield / Hendon and Hounslow / Hammersmith respectively.

TMS is also renegotiating its external print contracts for the former Southnews titles, bringing some in-house to Mirror Colour Print as part of its previously announced plans to save £4m in the first twelve months.

"This is not about contraction. Job losses will be minimal and counter-balanced by the investment we will make in developing the immense talent we have here," Colin said.

"The management and organisational changes will bring greater security for our staff and provide a better service for our customers. Readers and advertisers will both get a better product whilst maintaining important community focus."