Two senior executives with publisher Trinity Mirror are leaving their roles after lengthy careers in the regional press.
Steve Anderson-Dixon, left, is stepping down as chief operating officer for TM, having joined the company in 2011 after 28 years with Northcliffe Media.
Also leaving is Blanche Sainsbury, another ex-Northcliffe and Local World executive who became commercial director for TM following its takeover of LW last year.
It is understood that the two departures are unrelated.
A veteran of 40 years in the industry, Steve was regional managing director for Northcliffe’s South West division until the role disappeared in a 2011 restructure.
Weeks later, he bounced back as MD of Trinity’s West Midlands titles, which include the Birmingham Mail, and has since held a number of senior roles within its regional operation.
Like Steve, Blanche also rose through the management ranks at Northcliffe/Local World before being appointed commercial director of LW in November 2013.
She continued to hold the same role at the enlarged group following the takeover.
Steve’s departure was announced in an internal email to staff which has been seen by HTFP.
It said: “Steve’s energy and enthusiasm for local media is infectious and his considerable knowledge and experience will be greatly missed by his colleagues in Trinity Mirror.
“He has made a significant contribution to the regional press, mostly in senior management roles and is highly regarded and respected in the industry.
Steve added: ‘I’ve lived and worked through both the best and the worst of times for our industry but the one common thread throughout is the great and talented people I’ve had the privilege of working with along the way. I wish them every future success in an ever changing media landscape.”
A Trinity Mirror spokesman said: “Blanche and Steve’s energy and passion for the regional media business has seen them consistently deliver results for Trinity Mirror.
“We wish them both the very best for the future.”
Steve was MD in Derby when I was editor. He was a brilliant leader full of ideas and great fun to work with – even though I contributed greatly to his chronic hair loss.
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Steve was my boss at the Nottingham Post during my time as circulation director after the DMGT takeover. Great fun to work with and one of the sharpest and brightest blokes in the business.
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Steve is one of the very few Trinity Mirror bosses I actually had any time or genuine respect for. He is truly passionate about newspapers, whereas, in the main, the rest care more for the future of their pay packets than they do the industry itself.
I sincerely hope he remains in newspapers, as he is one of the scarce forces for good in our moribund trade.
DP
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Steve is a real gentleman – hugely liked and respected. Best wishes to him
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I worked with Steve AD in both Derby and Nottingham and I think he will be missed from Trinity. He’s a top bloke who really understands local press and the need for an independent voice. I’m sorry he’s leaving Trinity as his departure will leave a big hole. SAD (pun intended) day for local press
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It’s about time there were changes and reductions at the top. All of the changes in editorial and advertising are always at the bottom where resource is needed most if the business is to have any success. Too many chiefs making too many Indians redundant.
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Maybe, Bewise, etc. But they always seem to get rid of the wrong chiefs.
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I agree with you Bewiseandgetout as long as its the ‘right’ people at the top who are departing. Having good people, regardless of what level they are in the company, leave is nonsense as the industry needs to keep talent. TM seem to encourage it’s talent to exit (or force it to leave) which makes no sense. Too many good people have left an already troubled industry.
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A bitter pill to swallow and I confess I know neither of the two people named however it is encouraging to see the higher level of management position pruned out and with it sizeable cost savings,with the managers themselves deciding who stays and who goes it’s no surprise those with the most to lose will always find another position to remove to take the spotlight off themselves.
Clearly cuts need to be made and costs controlled, so as long as those contributing the least are the first to go we cannot be too outraged.
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