A newspaper sales chief has left a regional publisher to take up a new role with a rival company.

The Midland News Association, which publishes titles including Wolverhampton daily the Express & Star and the Shropshire Star, has appointed Rob Kelly as head of circulation.

Rob, pictured, has spent more than 20 years with Stoke daily The Sentinel, and was most recently head of newspaper sales for Trinity Mirror (West Midlands) Regionals, with added responsibility for the Birmingham Mail, Coventry Telegraph, the Sunday Mercury and a number of weekly titles.

He succeeds Dean Barber, who left the MNA in April after four years to become managing director of Kennedy Publishing, after the MNA’s owners the Claverley Group purchased the children’s periodicals publisher.

Rob, who was raised in Newport and continues to live in the Shropshire town, said: “Growing up in the area I know the Shropshire Star and Express & Star are strong, trusted brands for local news.

“They are both newspapers which continue to be at the heart of their local communities.

“I am passionate about selling newspapers and look forward to exploring opportunities to capitalise upon.”