Clive Milner, chief operating officer of News International, is to leave the company after 30 years.
Milner is understood to be leaving at Christmas after spending just over two years in his current role overseeing manufacturing, technology, distribution, procurement and facilities for Rupert Murdoch’s UK newspaper business.
His appointment as chief operating officer in June, 2008, came after more than four years as managing director of NI’s newspaper division.
Prior to that he had been managing director of Times Newspapers since December 2001 after spending two years as managing director of News Group Newspapers – the division that publishes The Sun and the News of the World.
Rebekah Brooks, chief executive of News International, said: “I have long valued the energy and vision Clive brought to his many key roles with this company.
“He joined News International as a young man and epitomises a culture in which talent and hard work can rise to a commanding role at the top of the company, as he has done. I and my colleagues will miss him.”
Press Gazette understands that Milner won’t be replaced directly. An announcement about the division of Milner’s responsibilities expected in the near future.
Milner’s departure comes after News International appointed former Telegraph Media Group editor-in-chief Will Lewis as general manager working across all four of its national newspaper titles in July.
Milner is expected to continue in his role as chairman of the Newspaper Publishers Association and as a member of the Press Standards Board of Finance.
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