MacLennan, a former managing director of print operation Harmsworth Quays, will bring a career of print knowledge to the post, which had also been connected with the Barclays' editorial guru Andrew Neil.
One of his first tasks will be to negotiate with Express Newspapers owner Richard Desmond over the fate of the jointly owned West Ferry printworks.
Desmond is expected to bid to buy out the Telegraph Group's 50% stake in the printer before the 10 September. That date marks the end of the 42-day period in which the bid can be made following a change of control at one of the partners.
According to newspaper reports this week, Desmond may offer as little as 30m for the stake in the print firm, even though the stake was independently valued at 58m in 2002.
The price is thought to be low due to the multi-million pound spend required to replace the plant's Goss presses, some of which date back to its opening in 1986. An Express spokesman refused to comment.
MacLennan has replaced Jeremy Deedes, who came out of retirement earlier this year to oversee the sale of the group by Hollinger International.
Kevin Beatty, the current managing director of Northcliffe Newspapers Group, will replace MacLennan at Associated. Beatty's job will be passed to his current deputy, Michael Pelosi.
Story by Josh Brooks
