Mark Chippendale leaves News Group

News Group Newspapers media director Mark Chippendale (pictured) is leaving the company after failing to get the top job of the newly-created advertising sales role overseeing the soon-to-be merged NGN and Times Media departments.

His departure is part of a major restructure within the publishing company, spearheaded by chief executive and chairman of News Corporation Europe, James Murdoch.

Murdoch has guided the shift to a more consolidated approach between the two publishing divisions which has historically seen the separation of The Sun and News of the World from The Times and The Sunday Times.

It is understood that Chippendale went up against Times Media’s trading director Dominic Carter for the new role of head of sales across the consolidated NGN and Times Media divisions.

Chippendale has worked in key sales roles in several media companies, including sales director at Sky in 2003. He began his career at Granada before moving to Thames TV as group manager.

An official statement from News International says: “Having reviewed the opportunities within the new sales operation for News International, Mark Chippendale has regretfully decided that now is the time for him to move from the company.”

Other changes to the management at News International include the departure of Mike Gordon, deputy managing director of NGN.

Both Chippendale and Gordon will see out their notice and continue working for the company as it moves into a transition phase.

NGN managing director Mike Anderson was last week promoted to the new role of managing director of digital and development.