Northcliffe Newspapers managing director Kevin Beatty has been appointed managing director of Associated Newspapers, publisher of the Daily Mail, The Mail on Sunday, Evening Standard and London Metro.

He will be succeeded at Northcliffe by Michael Pelosi, (51), the present deputy managing director.

Michael has been with the Northcliffe Newspapers Group since 1988 when he was appointed finance director and promoted to deputy MD in 1995.

His additional responsibilities have included the development of Northcliffe's overseas interests and restructuring the group's regional printing centres into the Northcliffe Press.

Kevin, (46, pictured), was appointed MD of The Mail on Sunday in 1996 and of the Evening Standard in 1999. He was a key member of the launch team of Metro in 1999, as well as chief operating officer of Associated New Media before becoming MD of Northcliffe Newspapers in 2001.

He replaces Murdoch MacLennan, who is leaving to become chief executive at the Telegraph Group, after being MD of Associated Newspapers for the past 10 years.

Daily Mail and General Trust chairman Lord Rothermere said: "I am delighted to make these two appointments from within the Group.

"They illustrate the depth and strength of our management and I am more than confident that our newspapers will continue to prosper under their leadership."

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