Blyk loses chief executive

Shaun Gregory, the chief executive of free mobile network Blyk, is leaving the company for personal reasons. His role will be taken over by Antti ÷hrling, the co-founder and current executive director of the company.

Gregory joined the company in 2007 from Telegraph Media Group, where he was director of new media. He was charged with the overall strategic director and day-to-day running of the company. It is not clear if Gregory has another role to go to.

÷hrling will now drive the UK business while co-founder Pekka Ala-Pietil‰ will lead the company’s international media partner strategy, which aims to help it capitalise on new growth opportunities.

÷hrling says that 2008 was “a pivotal year” in demonstrating its model and adds that it achieved “milestones” in member and advertiser growth. He says; “We thank Shaun for his contribution to this success.”

The announcement comes after the company recently secured an additional €40m (£35m) in funding for is ongoing operations and to accelerate its international growth.