AddThis SmartLayers

No confidence motion passed in Trinity Mirror boss

A motion of no confidence has been passed in a senior Trinity Mirror executive by journalists in Newcastle.

National Union of Journalists members at ncjmedia met yesterday to discuss last week’s departure of regional MD Steve Brown.

The NUJ chapel passed a resolution saying it had no confidence in the ability of Trinity Mirror Regionals MD Georgina Harvey to lead the company.

“The ncjmedia chapel…..is deeply concerned at Steve Brown’s sacking by Georgina Harvey,” it said.

“The NUJ did not always see eye to eye with Steve but, despite a recent programme of redundancies, respects him as the man who led ncjmedia into its position as Trinity Mirror’s most profitable centre.

“In these challenging times we want to have confidence in the person at the top. We need an exceptional MD: Steve Brown is that person.

“The chapel questions Georgina Harvey’s motivation and long-term strategy following her removal of an executive who has brought financial success to one of Trinity Mirror’s centres and who is widely respected by ncjmedia staff and the business community in the North East.”

Mr Brown oversaw the recent shake-up of editorial operations at Trinity Mirror’s centres in the West Midlands and the North East.

His departure appeared to have angered many staff who left a flood of comments about the departure on HoldtheFrontPage.

The resolution added: “The chapel deplores the great uncertainty and instability caused by Steve’s sacking and has deep concerns about Trinity Mirror’s future plans for ncjmedia.

“The fact that, at the time of writing, there has been no official announcement from Trinity Mirror HQ on Steve’s sacking demonstrates a worrying attitude from Trinity Mirror and Georgina Harvey to their relationship with ncjmedia staff.”

The news comes as Trinity Mirror’s board of directors meets in Birmingham today to take in a tour of the new set up at Fort Dunlop, home of the Birmingham Post and Mail and Sunday Mercury.

A Trinity Mirror spokesman said: “The NUJ’s claim that staff weren’t officially informed is simply untrue.

“Steve Brown’s departure from Trinity Mirror was announced to all staff in both our North East and Midlands businesses on the day he left in either face-to-face meetings or via an internal email.”

Comments

Harvey Wallbanger (29/04/2009 10:54:40)
So – jouralists who have confidence in their inspirational boss for his decision making and he gets the sack. Doesn’t say much for the decision making at the top, does it?

BingoBango (29/04/2009 11:01:42)
… and still no mention of the sweeping job cuts in Northcliffe over the last few weeks.

HoldtheFrontPage (29/04/2009 11:07:29)
With respect, BingoBango, you are talking arrant nonsense. All of the recent major job loss announcements by Northcliffe, whether at Bristol, Stoke, North-East dailies, East Midlands dailies and South-East weeklies, have been covered on HTFP.

tynesider (29/04/2009 12:13:30)
Why WOULD you expect trinity mirror staff in the north-east commenting on the departure of a hugely respected trinity mirror md and how it reflects on trinity mirror as a company to say anything about northcliffe job cuts? They have been covered elsewhere on HTFP where anyone could comment on them

Christine Harle (29/04/2009 20:15:39)
How ambitious of Georgina Harvey to take over TM’s most profitable centre and think it will stay that way without the man who led it to that achievement. I don’t agree with everything Steve Brown does – a few years ago as Newcastle chapel clerk I helped run a strike – but I admire his dedication and humane approach. He knows and cares about his staff and the North East. Now especially, that is what we need.
Christine Harle, ncjMedia desk editor

BingoBango (30/04/2009 10:09:18)
Sorry HTFP, but there’s more to the South West region than just Bristol….

HoldtheFrontPage (30/04/2009 11:51:02)
Well, Bingo, if there’s a story you think we haven’t covered, the remedy is quite simple. Rather than whingeing about it in the comments, why not email us at [email protected] or call 01332 253064 and we’ll look into it. All tip-offs treated in confidence.