Trinity Mirror has appointed Bill Steven as the new managing director of its 32 local newspapers in Scotland, Holdthefrontpage.co.uk reported Wednesday.

Steven had been pursuing the top spot since the retirement of former managing director Alex Cargill at the end of last year. Cargill was with Trinity Mirror for 34 years.

Steven has been promoted from commercial director of Trinity Mirror subsidiary, Scottish & Universal Newspapers Ltd., where he has 26 years experience.

Scottish & Universal Newspapers Ltd is Scotland's biggest local publishing group, publishing 32 paid and free newspapers across Lanarkshire, Ayrshire, Perthshire, Stirling, Dumfries and Galloway, Dunbartonshire, Renfrewshire and West Lothian.