A senior executive of regional publishing group Newsquest has left the company, it has been announced.

Howard Scott, who had been managing director of Newsquest South and West London, stood down this week to pursue “other interests.”

It is understood that he is not being replaced with his duties in future being undertaken by Roger Mills, regional managing director for Newsquest London.

Newspaper titles published by the South and West London division include the Richmond & Twickenham Times, Croydon Guardian and Surrey Comet.

The company said in a statement: “MD of Newsquest South and West London, Howard Scott, has left the company to pursue other business interests.

“He has had a distinguished career with Newsquest starting in Essex then moving to London accepting responsibility for the News Shopper before becoming the managing director of Newsquest Sussex in Brighton.

“He then accepted the position of newspaper sales director with Newsquest Media Group before returning to London as managing director of Newsquest South London.

“Roger Mills, regional managing director, Newsquest (London), will accept responsibility for all of the South and West London titles following Howard’s departure. Arrangements will be made to acknowledge Howard’s contribution to the company in due course.”

Chairman and chief executive Paul Davidson added: “We wish Howard every success in the future and thank him for all of his contributions in the various roles that he has undertaken for Newsquest.”