Trinity Mirror Digital loses chief in wake of cuts

Last week, Trinity Mirror said it was to slash investment in its digital operations from the £150m it announced a year ago to £90m, which will be spent over three years.

Clarke, a former Virgin Net director, has been with Trinity Mirror for two years. It is believed he does not have another position to go to.

Clarke’s responsibilities will pass to Graham Meade, managing director of the IC Network, of which two websites -- icshowbiz and icsport -- were closed down as part of the streamlining.

Trinity Mirror also announced that it is to sell its ISP ic24. Mead will report to Joe Sinyor, Trinity Mirror''s chief executive for newspapers

Clarke joined the Mirror Group in 1999 to set up the ISP and expand new-media operations. After the company merged with Trinity in the same year, the division grew to employ some 300 staff.

In a statement, Trinity Mirror said, “The change in our strategic direction for Digital Media does not mirror the goal that David agreed when he joined the company in 1999.

“David and the company share the view that it would not be appropriate for him to manage the business in its new form and David will leave the company in the near future.”