Ian Pay, managing director of the Evening Standard, has been
replaced by his deputy, Jonathan Harmsworth, the son of Associated
Newspapers’ owner, Lord Rothermere. Harmsworth is being groomed to take
control of the newspaper empire when his father retires.
Pay has headed the Standard since December 1995, after relinquishing the
managing directorship of the Mail on Sunday. He will stay at Associated
in a new role, setting up a new products division, which he will
chair.
It is believed the division will look at improving customer services and
explore the possibility of setting up brand extensions similar to those
of Telegraph Enterprises. The division will be based initially within
the Derry Street offices but Pay is understood to be looking for new
premises.
He was not available for comment.
Industry sources said Harmsworth was expected to take on Pay’s role, but
it had happened sooner than anticipated. Pay will report to Associated’s
managing director, Murdoch MacLennan.
Harmsworth joined the Standard in April from Courier Printing and
Publishing, where he was the managing director.
