The man who oversaw the change in ownership at the Manchester Evening News and its move to new premises is to leave the business.

David Sharrock, managing director of MEN Media, will leave in 2012, Trinity Mirror confirmed today.

A former chief operating officer of previous owners GMG Regional Media, he was kept on by Trinity Mirror last year after it bought the company.

Trinity said an announcement regarding his replacement would be made “in due course.”

In addition to overseeing its integration into the Trinity Mirror Regionals portfolio, David has also managed the move of the business to the new Chadderton premises.

He said:  “I have thoroughly enjoyed my time leading MEN Media and I couldn’t have hoped for a more committed and supportive team to work with.

“Having successfully guided the business through this transitional stage I feel that now is the right time to look for a new challenge.

“I’d like to thank each and every one of them for their hard work and effort over the last 18 months.”

Georgina Harvey, managing director of Trinity Mirror Regionals said: “I’d like to thank David for his excellent contribution to MEN Media and the Trinity Mirror Regionals business.

“It has been a pleasure to work with him and he will be very much missed by myself and all the team so we wish him all the very best in his future career ambitions.”