The managing director of Northcliffe Media subsidiary Cornwall and Devon Media is leaving the company after 29 years.
Trevor Lee first joined the company in 1983 as an ad rep on the Lincolnshire Echo.
He later worked in the Retford and Swansea offices before moving to Cornwall in 1993 as ad director of the West Briton. He was made managing director of Cornwall and Devon Media 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.”
Lee said he was leaving to set up his own media services and interim management business, which will 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,’he said.
‘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.’
Former Johnston Press and Trinity Mirror divisional managing director
Steve Brown – the ex MD of Northcliffe’s Hull operation – has been drafted in as interim cover. He is also covering the same position in South West Wales.
Northcliffe Media executive director Rich Mead said: ‘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.’
Lee’s last day is on 14 September. Rosemary Collins Associates will lead the search for his replacement.
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