Steve joined the leadership of the new company to ensure the effective creation of Local World. Now that the executive team has been significantly strengthened in recent months, Steve has decided this is a good time for him to take this step as the business is in “good shape”.
He was previously Group CEO of DMGT’s Northcliffe Media until it was sold to Local World in January this year and prior to this, CEO of Metro.
The Board of Local World has asked David Montgomery, Executive Chairman, to take the role of CEO with immediate effect.
To facilitate this move Andrew Wilson, of Artefact Partners, one of Local World’s shareholders, has been appointed interim non-executive chairman.
Andrew Wilson, Chairman said: “We are grateful to Steve for his work through the first months of Local World in guiding a smooth transition of ownership as well as optimising the performance of our operations. The Board is encouraged by the performance to date of the new company and is united behind David Montgomery and the executive team in seizing the opportunity for Local World to re-invigorate UK local media with a transformation strategy, underpinned by investment in technology and people.”
Steve Auckland, Group CEO, Local World said: “Thanks to everyone who has supported me over the last two & a half years. It’s been an amazing time; I just can’t believe it’s gone so quickly. I now leave a business with a great vision and an even more talented team of leaders to deliver it. I always said that people are the most valuable resource to any business. We’ve been able to assemble a highly skilled, experienced and motivated team who have outperformed the local media business making Local World even more desirable to investors and employees. It’s been an honour and a pleasure to work with them. With David assembling a new central management team, it’s a great time for me to move on.”
