Express & Star chief exec quits

STEVE BROWN, the recently  appointed chief  executive of Claverley Group, publisher of the Wolverhampton Express & Star has unexpectedly left the business.

Staff were told today that it was ‘by mutual consent’ but no other reasons for Mr Brown’s sudden departure were given.

Mr Brown took up his role only in January this year, after being fired as regional managing director of rival publisher Trinity Mirror Midlands, owners of the Birmingham Post and the Birmingham Mail.

He was the first chief executive to be brought into the position from outside the business by Claverley, who had either appointed members of the Graham family or from within the group or its subsidiary, Midland News Association.

It was understood that Mr Brown had been given a brief to modernise the group, which also has radio interests, a software company and newspapers in the Channel Islands. In February, he announced a multi million refinancing deal through Lloyds TSB, a move which was taken to signal the growing ambitions of the business.

However, it is believed that his efforts to modernise the family-owned group were not fully supported by senior managers and owners Alan and Douglas Graham decided that they had appointed the wrong man.

A spokesman said: “Following a strategic review of the future direction of Claverley Group, Mr Steve Brown is to leave the business with immediate effect.”