Three Trinity Mirror executives have left the company, two weeks after failing to secure a buy-out of the company’s Midlands-based portfolio.

John Bills, regional managing director Midlands, Mark Whittaker, managing director of Midland Weekly Media, and regional finance director Robby Ryan were behind a management buy-out of titles including the Birmingham Post and Mail and Coventry Telegraph, and a number of weekly newspapers.

Trinity Mirror announced on October 1 that it had decided to retain its Midland titles, which the group had put up for sale just before Christmas.

Meanwhile, Steve Brown is appointed interim regional managing director Midlands, and John Griffith is appointed interim managing director of Midland Weekly Media, reporting to Steve.

Another part of the management restructuring includes a new role for regionals editorial director Neil Benson, who is joining the interim team as regional business development director, while Richard Boon, currently regional HR director (southern), will become regional HR director.

A company statement said: “The new management team will now focus on opportunities to develop the portfolio, both in print and digital.

”In Birmingham the immediate focus will be on the move to our new Fort Dunlop location and the introduction of new systems to be used there, both of which represent new investment in the Midlands region by Trinity Mirror.”