Trinity Mirror has appointed a new managing director for its 32 local newspapers in Scotland.

Bill Steven has been given the top job at TM’s Scottish subsidiary Scottish and Universal Newspapers, publisher of the Paisley Daily Express and a series of weeklies.

He had been covering the position since the departure of the previous MD Alex Cargill, who took early retirement at the end of last year after 34 years with the company.

Mr Steven, formerly commercial director of S&UN, brings 26 years of experience to the role.

Scottish & Universal Newspapers Ltd is Scotland’s biggest local publishing group, and operates a network of newspapers across West, Central and East Scotland.

Its portfolio of 32 paid-for and free newspaper titles covers Lanarkshire, Ayrshire, Perthshire, Stirling, Dumfries and Galloway, Dunbartonshire, Renfrewshire and West Lothian.