Richard Desmond’s right-hand man Stan Myerson is to leave Northern & Shell after 21 years.
Myerson joined Northern & Shell from Express Newspapers in 1995, prior to Desmond’s takeover of the parent of the Daily Express, Sunday Express, Daily Star and Daily Star Sunday in 2000.
The South African, who turned 65 in March, has decided to step down from his role as group joint managing director to spend more time with his family.
“My old friend Stan has been a great colleague and brother-in-arms for many years and through his dedication, hard work and support, he has played a significant part in the growth and ultimate success of Northern & Shell,” said N&S chairman Desmond.
“I have thanked him for all he has done to help take the business through massive periods of change over the years and he leaves the commercial side of the group in a great shape that’s future-ready. Personally, I will miss him enormously and wish him well as he spends more time with his close family.”
Myerson, who qualified as a barrister in South Africa before heading to the UK and joining the Daily Star in 1979, leaves his role in July.
“For the last 21 years, Richard, my fellow directors and the team at Northern & Shell have been more than colleagues and through the natural rhythm of high-profile business, we been have privileged to enjoy success beyond our imagination and have faced huge challenges together,” said Myerson.
“We faced huge challenges together. But we won through-and-through each time! I have enjoyed every moment of it and as such, my decision to step down was not an easy one to make. But just like our shared philosophies about business, Richard and I share similar attitudes about life in general and he has been very understanding about my next chapter. The business is in a fantastic shape and I look forward to watching its future onward success.”
The commercial side of the business will be handled by commercial director Toby Morris, who joined from AOL last year, who will report to Rob Sanderson, N&S’s group finance director.
Stan Myerson CV
2000: Group joint managing director, Express Newspapers and Northern & Shell
1999: Group joint managing director, Northern & Shell
1995: Group ad sales director, Northern & Shell
1994: Assistant to managing director, Express Newspapers
1983: Group advertising contracts controller, Express Newspapers
1981: Ad manager, Daily Express
1979: Group head, Daily Star
1974: Solicitor in his native South Africa
