AddThis SmartLayers

Metro exec joins new-look Northcliffe team

Another senior executive from the Metro newspaper has been poached to join Northcliffe Media’s new-look senior management team

Karen Wall, assistant managing director of the daily free title, is to become Northcliffe’s executive director in charge of communications, marketing and people development.

She rejoins her old boss Steve Auckland, who was managing director of Metro before moving to the same role at Northcliffe earlier this year, and Rich Mead, who was also an assistant MD at Metro before becoming an executive diretor at Northcliffe.

They will make up a four-person senior management team alongside executive director Rachel Addison, who was finance director before Steve’s arrival.

Karen originally joined Northcliffe in 1997 as a marketing executive before moving to Metro in 1999, six months after its launch.

She rose to become marketing director within five years before being made asssistant MD of Associated Newspapers free division in 2007.

Said Karen:  “I’m looking forward to joining Northcliffe Media. My new role is a great opportunity to apply my learnings from Metro to another business in the group.

“People development, great communication and a strong culture are essential for a business that is going through significant change.”

Steve added:  “This is a key appointment for Northcliffe. If we are to attract and develop the best talent in the business then we must have the top operator in charge of talent and culture.

“Metro has been recognised as having the most innovative trade marketing campaigns in the business. This has been developed and delivered under her control. Her skills are easily transferrable to Northcliffe and this will ensure we develop at an even quicker pace and grow the business.”

Karen’s full title at Northcliffe will be executive director of talent, culture, communication and marketing.

She will start her new role on 17 October.

3 comments

You can follow all replies to this entry through the comments feed.
  • September 19, 2011 at 4:18 pm
    Permalink

    ” . . . apply my learnings”.

    She’s got a real talent for cultured communication, obviously.

    Report this comment

    Like this comment(0)
  • September 20, 2011 at 12:19 pm
    Permalink

    Whenever I see or hear this guff I stop reading it. It reminds me of students I used to get telephoning me in my professional capacity saying “I’m stressing!” Who isn’t when they have to put up with this sort of affected talk.

    Report this comment

    Like this comment(0)
  • September 21, 2011 at 4:44 pm
    Permalink

    I can remember when this company had great talent across the spectrum from subs to senior commercial and editorial management. The truth is that they make these ridiculous statements of intent until the next accountants meeting – and we all know what happens next.
    MF……..

    Report this comment

    Like this comment(0)