Trinity Mirror executive on shortlist to succeed Montgomery at Mecom
TRINITY MIRROR executive Mark Hollinshead has emerged as a surprise candidate to succeed David Montgomery at the helm of European publisher Mecom.
Hollinshead, who is responsible for the Daily Mirror and People in his role as head of Trinity’s national division, is said to be on a shortlist drafted by headhunter Russell Reynolds. Hollinshead has a long track record in print media, having begun his career at the Midland News Association in the mid-1980s before working his way up to become Trinity boss Sly Bailey’s right hand man. However, his lack of business experience on the Continent may hinder his chances. Mecom has interests in Holland, Denmark, Norway and Poland.
Montgomery, a former Today and News of the World editor, founded Mecom a decade ago and floated it on Aim in 2005.
With a reputation for ruthless cost-cutting as a newspaper executive, Montgomery set out to consolidate the European publishing market. But he fell out with shareholders and board members after the flotation and last week said he would step down as the publishing firm’s chief executive.