Middleton was formerly managing director of client services with The Stationery Office (TSO), and will take up his role from April.

Trinity Mirror is a unique business presenting a unique opportunity in terms of manufacturing operations, he said.

Reporting to chief executive Sly Bailey, Middleton will head the groups recently created manufacturing division, the plans for which were unveiled in Trinity Mirrors preliminary results in February this year (PrintWeek, 4 March).

In 1986 Middleton joined West Ferry Printers as managing director, overseeing a dramatic transformation of the business throughout his tenure during the early 90s.

A qualified lawyer, he left the legal profession to focus on a career initially in employee relations.

The new division will assume control for all of Trinity Mirrors 12 UK print sites, a review of which is still on-going, with plans to reduce costs and improve efficiencies.

Its Huddersfield print site will cease operation by the end of April this year, when the Huddersfield Examiner becomes tabloid and moves into its Oldham site (PrintWeek, 26 February).

Two Midlands print sites are being consolidated into one in Birmingham, while two sites in Scotland remain under review.

Story by Andy Scott