A managing director who has worked for Northcliffe Media for 29 years will leave the company next month to set up his own business.

Trevor Lee, left, will leave his post as managing director of Cornwall and Devon Media on 14 September to set up a media company which aims to help the regional press grow its advertising sales.

It comes after Andrew Blair, the managing director for Northcliffe’s South West Media Group, left last month after 16 years with the company with Blanche Sainsbury, the MD of the South West Wales Media Group being picked for his role.

Steve Brown, who has held management roles with Trinity Mirror, the Claverley Group and Johnston Press, has bounced back from redundancy yet again by being appointed as interim cover for both Trevor and Blanche’s roles, while the search takes place for permanent replacements.

Trevor joined Northcliffe in 1983 as an ad rep working on the Lincolnshire Echo then spending time at Retford and Swansea titles before moving to Cornwall in 1993 as ad director of the West Briton. He was appointed managing director in 2009.

He said: “I’ve been extremely lucky to have had such a long and hugely enjoyable spell with Northcliffe, particularly as I only joined the Echo in the hope of finding my way onto the sports desk to work alongside Lincoln City football writer Maurice Burton!

“I am leaving to set up my own media services and interim management business. Part of that operation will be to specialise in helping regional media grow its advertising sales.

“I’ll also be undertaking some local business coaching and act as a two day a month marketing / sales director for local businesses with growth ambitions.

“I leave a talented team who have pushed CDM towards the top of the Northcliffe performance rankings. It has been a pleasure to work with them and the many, many others I have met and worked with in Northcliffe.”

Executive director Rich Mead added: “We are sorry to see Trevor go but he has his heart set on making a go of his own business. Trevor has made a big impact on our Cornwall business and his commitment and passion for the business will be missed by everyone.”

Steve, who will provide interim cover for the two MD roles, was most recently the divisional managing director of Johnston Press’ northern division but was axed in February.

Before that, he was regional managing director of Trinity Mirror’s North-East and Midlands divisions until 2009 then chief executive of the Claverley Group, owners of the Express & Star and Shropshire Star, but he left that post after just three months.

He was also a former Northcliffe employee for 12 years as managing director in Hull and circulation manager in Tunbridge Wells.